I grew up singing a kid’s song written straight from Psalm 48. “The LORD is great and greatly to be praised,” it sang. (It was written from the King James) This Psalmist loves Zion. He calls it beautiful and the Joy of the whole earth; he describes kings who gather against it and who, after taking one look, fled in terror. But if we look closely, we’ll see the city is never the hero in this wonderful song. God is. He’s the One who made Himself known as its stronghold.

Then he writes this elegant invitation, inviting us to walk around Zion. He says to go all the way around it. Count its towers, study its walls, and look carefully at its fortress, so you can tell the next generation about it. I think of a family walking through an old house, pointing out the height marks on the door jamb and rooms where special events took place so the kids and grandkids would know the story also belongs to them; it’s their heritage, their legacy.

Then, surprisingly, once the writer is finished touting the majesty of the city, he ends in an unexpected way. He doesn’t say “Look how strong our city is” or “This magical place was built on the principles of the Torah!” No, he ends with “This is God, our God is forever and ever.” The towers and majesty were never the focal point. They’re merely evidence. Every wall, every rampart was a reminder of the God who had protected them all this time and who lived among them as their Father.

This entire week we’ve been heading right to this place. John saw a city with no temple because God and the Lamb were its temple. Ezekiel heard God promise His sanctuary among His people forever, and the sons of Korah sang of a city that would not, could not, be toppled. Then, Paul told us to wait, not for an exit, but for the King. Each time we saw the city this week, its glory wasn’t from its magnificence; it was because God dwells there.

So, let’s just do what the Psalm asks us to do. Take a walk around the city, so to speak, and count the towers of God’s faithfulness to your own story. Think of prayers He’s answered, seasons He’s seen you through, and promises He’s kept. Then, tell someone, maybe someone younger in the faith, that this God is our God forever, and He will always be with us.

Then, worship Him. Worship because the best part of this city isn’t the streets of gold or the gates of pearl; it’s that the King will be there, and with us, forever! Maranatha!

What are some “towers” of God’s faithfulness you can count from this past year? Who in the next generation can you tell about what God has done for you?

Father, You are great and worthy of all praise we can give. Thank You for every way and every time You’ve protected me, especially when You’ve protected me from myself. Teach me to remember Your faithfulness and to tell it to those who will come after me. Help me to live a life worthy of someone to imitate. Lead me today, and keep leading me until the day You dwell with us in Your Holy City, forever. Amen.

“One tower of God’s faithfulness I want to tell the next generation about is __________________.”