Psalm 87 predicts that God’s people will come to Him, to His heavenly city, from every corner of the globe. The psalmist, looking forward with the eyes of faith and anticipating the coming of the Messiah, describes how God’s people will come to Him through Jesus Christ from the east (represented by Babylon), from the west (Philistia), from the north (Tyre), from the south (Rahab, or Egypt), and from the ends of the earth (Cush, or modern-day Ethiopia). What a promise that we can anticipate with joy and thanksgiving!

Hebrews says that 2,000 years before Christ, Abraham looked forward to the city built on the Rock of Ages, the Lord Jesus Christ—a city beyond earthly Jerusalem that would be founded on the Messiah. This is why when Jesus told the Jews, “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad,” they wanted to stone Him (John 8:56). They did not believe Jesus’ bold claim that “before Abraham was born, I am!” (v. 58). Jesus is the cornerstone; He is the foundation, and any other foundation will collapse sooner or later.

Like Abraham and the psalmist, all of us who love the church of Jesus Christ, all of us who belong to Him, look forward to the day when we will be gathered together from every nation, tribe, and tongue and from every corner of the globe. “Indeed, of Zion it will be said, ‘This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her.’ The Lord will write in the register of the peoples: ‘This one was born in Zion.’ As they make music they will sing, ‘All my fountains are in you’” (Psalm 87:5-7).

In Psalm 45:14-15, the bride (us!) is led in with joy and gladness to the palace of the king. Here the psalmist urges us to look forward to this future, seeing who we are, who we will be, and where we will be for eternity. As you joyfully anticipate the coming King, ask yourself, “Where are my fountains?”

Prayer: Lord, may my joy and confidence be in Messiah, faithful, constant, and true. You are my rock and my salvation. All my fountains are in You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:16).

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.



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