THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD GOD SURROUNDS HIS PEOPLE

Proclamation:

“Those who trust in The Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.  As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so The Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore.”  Psalm 125:1-2 (NIV)

Explanation:

The words of this psalm were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God but the name of the human author is unknown.  This is another psalm of ascent, one of the songs which the children of Israel sang as they journeyed towards Jerusalem, which is on several mountains and is surrounded by mountains.  The psalmist begins by addressing the security of the city and God’s people. (Psalm 125:1-2)  Then he addresses the spiritual purity of the city and of God’s people. (Psalm 125:3-5)  Those who walk the crooked path of sin will be separated from God’s people, those who walk the straight and narrow righteous way. (Psalm 125:5 and Matthew 7:13-14)

Application:

The Lord God provides a hedge of protection around His people. (Job 1:10)  The Spirit of The Lord God is within us and His presence is all around us. He protects His people and His church.  We are encompassed by His favor and His loving-kindness.  We are safe in His hands (John 10:28) and under His wings. (Psalm 91:4)  His arms of protection surround us. (Psalm 89:10)  He goes before us and leads us and guides us. (Psalm 31:3)  He is always at our side. (Psalm 118:6)  His goodness and mercy follow behind us. (Psalm 23:6)  He is omnipotent, all powerful, and He is omni-present, always present everywhere all at the same time.  He will never leave us or forsake us.  This should instill confidence within us, and should give non-believers a reason for serving a true and living God.