Towers, Bulwarks, and Palaces

Towers, Bulwarks, and Palaces

Walk about Zion, And go all around her. Count her towers; Mark well her bulwarks; Consider her palaces; That you may tell it to the generation following.

Psalm 48:  12-13

The Church of Jesus Christ is the grandest of structures.  By “the Church” I do not mean some particular denomination; rather, I refer to the whole of the Body of Christ that is all of the redeemed of all ages.  The Psalmist, under inspiration, calls upon us to take stock of this spiritual edifice.  The Psalmist paints with strokes of grandeur as he encourages the observer to gaze upon God’s city.  The city of Zion is ‘beautiful’ and many ‘marveled’ because of the glorious presence of the King.  In the same way, we can stand and marvel at the beauty of the presence of Christ in His church.  Our particular text points out specific characteristics of ‘God’s holy mountain.’  For our own spiritual edification, let us take stock of these outstanding characteristics of the structure of the Church of Jesus Christ.

In it are places of excellent visibility called “the towers.”  From “the towers” the watchmen may observe that state of the land, the condition of the city, the coming of the enemy, and the movements of the King.  From such a tower we may see the King in His beauty. We may expect signals from the Throne regarding what course of action to take, or what specific enemies to oppose.  From the towers we may get a clear view of the glory of Heaven in the face of Jesus Christ.

Also within the “city of God” are its “bulwarks.”  They make it a place of abundant security.  So abundant is the security of the Church that from its safety Christ has never lost one of His blood-bought subjects.  He declares, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”  Well did Luther writer “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.”

If we continue on our tour we see that the third characteristic of the Church is “her palaces.”  In the Church is the habitation of royalty.  God makes of His chosen “kings and priests,” a happy, holy , wealthy people.  Though in this world we may be paupers; yet in the things of eternity we are kings.  That will be ours when all around us has passed away.  The generations that follow are dependent upon our diligence in showing them this glorious city.  Let us take every opportunity available to point these dear young one’s gaze to the holy mountain and teach them of the King in His holy city.

Our Savior and Our God,

we rejoice today 

in Thy great Building, and in Thee the

Builder and Maker.

Where the Bush is Burning

Tomm Tice