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Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes will say, “All my springs of joy are in you” (Psalm 87:7, NASB).
Psalm 87 is the “second chance” Psalm.
I accepted Jesus when I was 11 years old during summer Bible camp. But on the first day of school in the fifth grade, realizing that I was the only Christian in my class, I decided not to follow Jesus.
I’m glad Jesus gave me a second chance. When we need a second chance, let’s read Psalm 87.
We get a second chance theme in this Psalm with the Sons of Korah listed as the composers. Now, think for a moment. Where did we hear the name Korah? Read below. . .
Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolent and rose up against Moses (Numbers 16:1-2a, NIV).
Korah and a few of his compatriots became insolent and revolted against Moses (and God’s eternal purposes expressed in Moses). And reading further in Numbers 16, note that it didn’t end well for their rebellion. . .
The ground under them split apart and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions (Numbers 16:31b-32, ESV).
Yet, here’s Psalm 87 written by the Sons of Korah several centuries later, and not only Psalm 87, but they wrote 10 other Psalms as well. Our sins do not need to be passed to the third generation of our heirs (Exodus 34:7), or even the next day in our lives. . .
That’s God’s grace!
Wandering in my wilderness, I was fortunate that I didn’t hurt myself or others, die from drugs, or burn out my brain with LSD.
I needed a second chance; we all need a second chance.
Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes will say, “All my springs of joy are in you” (Psalm 87:7, NASB).
Examining Psalm 87, note that so far in this Interruption, I’ve only discussed the authors. The Psalm itself is a prophetic depiction of Zion (Jerusalem).
His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Lord loves the gates of Zion. More than all the other dwelling places of Jacob (Psalm 87:1-2).
Soon after this Psalm was sung for the first time, Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonians and destroyed, and for a few years this phrase in Psalm 87 seemed ridiculous. . .
Glorious things are spoken of you, City of God (v. 3)
We know that God gave His city (and His people) another chance. Jesus said about Zion. . .
“How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling” (Matthew 23:37).
A few years later, Jerusalem was destroyed again in 70 A.D. by the Roman Emperor Titus.
Jerusalem needed a second chance (after the Babylonians) and a third chance (after the Romans), and … and … and … We can visit Jerusalem today, and amazingly, we find this prophecy in the Book of Revelation:
I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (21:2).
Zion needed a second chance (How about us?), a third chance (How about us?), and finally eternal glory (How about us?).
Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes will say, “All my springs of joy are in you” (Psalm 87:7).
Second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth — seventy times seventy! The grace of God.
Amen. Peace out!