7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord brings back the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad. —Psalm 14:7

“Zion” is an idiom for Jerusalem. “Salvation” in this verse means deliverance, and, in this case, deliverance from the persecution of the God haters mentioned in yesterday’s verses. David longs for the deliverer to arise, speaking prophetically of when God will bring His people back into the land of Israel, never to be uprooted again. In those days, “Jacob” and “Israel” will rejoice and be glad.

In the times in which we live, where fools seem to reign, and good is called evil, and evil is called good, we see the consequences all around us. David ends this psalm on a hopeful note, and we will do the same.

Listen, Christian, in an age where we are belittled and demeaned, where God is mocked, and there is no fear of Him (and therefore no fear of consequences for persecuting His people), where it’s popular to say that there is no God and be applauded and respected for doing so, remember: it’s all fool’s gold. But here’s the truth: A permanent change is coming soon! What does that mean?

Never forget that this world is not our home, and the Lord will not strive with man forever. Revelation 1:7-8 says, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,’ says the Lord, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’”

We also read in Philippians, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (2:9-11). Stay bold! Deliverance is coming from Zion, and it will be permanent! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom that has no end. Although fool’s gold may be highly valued, even in much of the church, permanent change is coming— and it just might be today!

In truth, we already enjoy this. We’ve been set free from our captivity to sin, and joy and gladness can be ours right now while we wait for our deliverance. We can rejoice that we’ve been counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ. Even though fools abound and their foolishness and lack of wisdom may impact us at times, the change that is coming will happen in a moment—in the twinkling of an eye—and you and I will put on immortal incorruptibility and will forever be with the Lord! (1 Corinthians 15:52).

Excerpt from “Beside Still Waters” now available on Amazon.

BARRY STAGNER