Somewhere, sometime a man had to take a stand.”
–Louis L’Amour (Dark Canyon)
“He has said in his heart, ‘I shall not be moved; I shall never be in adversity.'”
–Psalm 10:6 (NKJV)
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I’ve seen some of the highest peaks in the Colorado while hiking, fishing, and hunting. They are an awesome sight in the grandeur, but they can’t hold a candle to the glory of the Lord as He comes from Mount Zion. As you’ve seen the devastation the past couple of weeks, perhaps you’re feeling a little insecure. If so, then Psalm 125 is one you should read and contemplate.
1 — Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 — As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.
3 — For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.
4 — Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts.
5 — As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel! (NKJV)
Ponder this Psalm; think it through. As a believer we are not immune to calamity and disasters and that includes: earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, disease, fires, accidents and so many other things. However! If we truly trust in the Lord we cannot be moved. When we have done all to stand, we remain standing. It was Martin Luther who said, “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. It is so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.” When things look hopeless–they are not for God is there. Our part is to trust in Him.
The writer of this psalm must also have thought that the country was in trouble in regards to leadership. The country was controlled by a foreign power. Evil had the upper hand and it seems as if some of the faithful were beginning to waver in their faith. When we look at our current government and the political situation we can become disheartened and feel like hope is ebbing away. Not so, the Lord surrounds us, look to Him, and realize that in the midst of it all, He will do good.
Let me use the words of George Wood in summarizing this Psalm:
1) What shakes you up will not shake you apart.
2) Nothing can penetrate God’s inner ring of protection for you.
3) Watch for the good God will do.
4) Bad times must not become an excuse for bad conduct. It’s important to continue living right when everything is going wrong.
I think of that last admonition. Eighty percent of the time in movies and television when something bad goes wrong people head for the booze. “I need a drink,” they say. No, they need the Lord, the last thing they need is a drink! Turn to God; in His mercy He will protect and and not allow His people to participate in evil.
“When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell’s destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side:
Songs of praises, I will ever give to thee.”
–William Williams