The Lord Surrounds His People

In Psalm 125 the psalmist sets out the fundamental attitude of the one who has put their trust in the LORD and makes their ascent to God’s dwelling place: confidence! The psalmist likens the one who trusts in God to “Mt. Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.” He writes, “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.” In the Scriptures mountains are a symbol of immovable strength. And that immovable, unshakeable, confidence in God and His purposes for you is to be a defining characteristic of your life. Life in the ancient near east could be quite chaotic with threats of invasion from every side. Yet, Yahweh wanted His people to know that their lives were in His hands and that His presence surrounded them. Just as the pillars of cloud and fire surrounded Israel in the Exodus, even so the LORD continues to surround and protect His people. And in light of God’s presence with you, you are to be unshakeable. We live in the midst of a fragile culture. To a people whose trust is in their riches, the recent upheaval of the stock and real estate markets has shaken our nation. But beloved, you are not such a people. You are the people of God and as those who have put your trust in Him you are like Mt. Zion in its strength. And like Mt. Zion your place in God’s purposes is fixed and unchanging; He will never leave you nor forsake you. In the midst of the myriad uncertainties of this life, be reminded of the place in which you are now standing. Every week as you make your ascent to Mt. Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, be reminded that your life is hid with Christ in God. The kingdom that you have received from Him and which you have entered by baptism and the working of God’s Spirit cannot be shaken but will endure world without end. Be, therefore, steadfast and immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord!