
The Forty-Sixth Psalm is one of a trilogy of Psalms about the City of God. The Old Testament contains many references to the City of God and it carries over to the New Testament as well for the City of God is Jerusalem. For Christians and Jews it is the central point of God's revelation to the world and it is the place where Jesus will return to earth and create the New City of God in a world which finally will end its strife and hatred through His arrival. Only then will the world experience peace and love but it will come after a time of trials and tribulation the likes of which we have never seen.
It is for this very reason that the idea of Obama asking the Israelis to give up authority for the entire city is not only dangerous but it is in violation of what the God of Abraham, the God of both Christians as Jews, expects. God truly sees Jerusalem as the center of this world and Biblical history has shown repeatedly the punishment that those not honoring His wishes have received. This has even included the Jews themselves when they have disobeyed his guidance and Christians and Jews in America should be very concerned about what a sell out of Israel and a division of Jerusalem between Muslims and Jews could generate in the way of God's wrath. If you believe the Bible, remember Christians only were offered the opportunity for salvation through God's grace as brought through the death of His Son Jesus Christ.
Psalm Forty Six carries an important message which we need to listen to carefully. It is written about Jerusalem and it is a mixture of praise for God's power in providing safety to His people, while also referring to a potential disaster in Jerusalem around 700 BC. At that time, King Sennacherib of Assyria brought a huge Army of 185,00 soldiers to the plains surrounding Jerusalem. Is plan was to destroy Jerusalem and all people in the city and had it been successful it would have been one of the worst sieges the city has suffered in it's four thousand year history, including total destruction twice.
The Jews had no ability to fend off such a large force and they were nearly resigned to their fate when suddenly the opposing Army was decimated by what many historians think was a plague. With the entire Army sick or dead, Sennacherib returned to Nineveh, never to return.
The connection of the words in the Psalm to a passage from 2 Kings 19:34-36 is what has brought theologians to think that this is he likely background for this powerful Psalm. Because of the timing it is even quite possible that the author could have been the prophet Isaiah although no one can definitively determine this. No matter what the background is, the story is clear: Jerusalem is the center of the world, the Jews as direct descendants of Abraham and Isaac, hold a special place and Christians are added to the flock through His grace. And all of these things point to why Israel is so important and must be maintained. No government, no tyrant, no one or nothing will be excused for denying for destroying the City of God.
And one other thing. We know that as part of the prophesy, Israel will fall and with it Jerusalem, but it will be a temporary condition, for when Jesus returns the Golden City from Heaven, a new and glorious Jerusalem will prevail and from it He will rule the world.
So don't be fearful of what is going on today in so many places but pay attention and believe, for it is the basis of our Salvation. We could be facing the Tribulation soon or maybe not, for God has let us know that we shall not know the time but that we must be ready. Open your heart and soul to His word and the love of His Son through the Holy Spirit who is waiting to guide you. This is on preparation that will truly make you ready for what is about to come. And rejoice in it. Hallelujah!