Dr. Jim Mann
“Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever.” (Psalm 125:1, CSB)
When the psalmist says that those who trust in the Lord can’t be shaken or moved, is he describing you? I want to be a picture of an immovable rock. But the truth of the matter is I can easily be shaken. I am often moved.
Some days I awake with the faith to move mountains and cast trees into the sea—I’m filled with joy and excitement about life and people. The next day I don’t want to get out of bed and barely have the faith of a mustard seed—I’m gloomy and sullen and moody.
I can be moved by lots of things: sadness, joy, success, failure. I want to be a thermostat, but I discover I’m more like a thermometer that goes up and down with the weather.
What I often forget is that my security has more to do with geography than psychology. The next verse reads, “The mountains surround Jerusalem and the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever.” (Psalm 125:2, CSB)
My security doesn’t come from my feelings, but from the fact that “the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.”
Remember that this week when you’re tempted to be shaken. God’s love and care are surrounding you now and forever!
This psalm ends with a prayer of peace. We think of peace as an absence of war or trouble, but the Hebrew word shalom means something more along the lines of completeness or wholeness. The psalmist ends Psalm 125 with this phrase, but it isn’t a statement.
It’s a prayer. Jerusalem is still a mountain fortress with enemies surrounding it. There is still evil and sickness on the planet. There are still those who turn aside to crooked ways. But despite this, Israel can be assured that they are secure, because God is in control.
The same is true for us. Be at peace. God’s running the show. Your feelings of doubt that creep in from time to time, the fact of suffering in this world, even the wavering of your own heart—none of that suggests God has stepped off his throne. And because he reigns, we can be at peace.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminded us, “Do not be anxious” (Matt. 6:25). Life with God is a sure thing. You’re safe and secure with God. Be at peace!
Jim Mann, Ph.D. pastors New Life Church at Robson Ranch. This interdenominational church meets at the Robson Clubhouse on Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Visit www.newlifedenton.org for more information or www.drjimmann.com.