“ Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore”–Psalm 125:1-2
My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord,
As I have shared with you before, I have a great love for mountains. If I were forced to choose between the beach or the mountains for a permanent summer vacation spot, the nod would always go to the mountains.
Perhaps like many of you, I have my favorite mountains here in the southeast, particularly in the Smoky Mountains. Ever since I can remember, I have been fascinated by one great peak in far eastern Tennessee, Mount Le Conte. This majestic mountain stands at over 6500 feet in elevation. Its striking prominence, that is, the elevation of the summit above the surrounding mountains, is over 1300 feet.
As you travel toward the National Park, you’ll easily spot this beautiful peak if the weather is clear. And if you visit the resort town of Gatlinburg you’ll get the feeling that this huge hunk of stone is standing watch over you, looking down upon the town from high above. In fact, Wikipedia (for whatever it’s worth!!) claims that, “ The difference in elevation between the city [Gatlinburg] and Mount Le Conte is one vertical mile, which is the largest contrast of its type in the eastern half of the country.”
A few years ago one late winter day, I happened to be flying from Charlotte back home to Huntsville. Our flight was routed westbound right over Le Conte’s summit, which was blanketed in deep snow, the sun reflecting off the surface like a welder’s torch! My heart was moved to quietly lift my voice to the Lord in praise for such a wondrous testimony to His power and sovereignty!
If you had lived in ancient Israel with the Old Covenant patriarchs, you would have certainly had a great fondness for Mount Zion. Of course, this is the location of the city of Jerusalem. And if you were to travel those fourteen miles from Jericho going south towards Jerusalem, your ascent would be somewhere in the vicinity of 3400 feet (from 864 feet below sea level, to 2510 feet above sea level!).
But unlike Mount Le Conte, to the distant observer Mount Zion would be somewhat obscured by the hills and peaks surrounding it, all of which were higher in elevation. It would appear as if these other mountains were posted as royal guards, encircling the Holy City where Yahweh was worshipped.
It was this very scene that served as the background for Psalm 125, one of the “ Psalms of Ascent” chanted by Old Testament worshippers on their way up to Jerusalem. The image it sets forth is truly amazing as you begin to grasp it.
As you can see, the Psalmist is describing those “ who trust in the Lord.” They are also identified as “ His people.” More significantly, the Lord’s holy and beloved “ people” who are always placing their “ trust” in Him, are likened to “ Mount Zion.”
Then, added to this, we learn here that those who belong to the Lord “ cannot be moved,” and will abide “ forever”! And the reason this is true is that, just as there are other mountains standing guard over Jerusalem on all sides, the Lord Himself “ surrounds His people”!
If we interpret this blessed passage from a New Covenant perspective, we discover that our security as the Church, as the eternally loved and elected Bride of Christ, is never in doubt! However, we must remember that we are safe and secure not because we are strong and faithful all the time and in every situation, but because our Father always stands guard over us!
There is never a moment in our lives when we are not completely surrounded by His mighty power, His majestic presence, and His steadfast love! The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is always encircled by the One who towers above all things! This fact, and this fact alone, is why we can rest in peace and security each moment, knowing that because we are enfolded in His care we “ cannot be moved” and we will live with Him “ forever”!
The enemies that assail us, and will do so until Jesus comes, are no match for the awesome omnipotence of our Great God! From the lofty heights from which He reigns, He always sees us, hears us, and knows our every move! His gracious gaze is ever upon those whom His Son has redeemed. He is jealous for us, committed to us, and ever seeking our ultimate good! No enemy can touch us without His permission. And even when adversity is in His plan for us, it is always fully under His control, and will accomplish only that which advances our holiness as we become more like our Savior!
So, let me put it to you this way: Today, like every day, we are surrounded on all sides, but not by enemies! We are securely encircled by our Great and Holy God and Father, “ from this time forth and forevermore”!
Our duty, then, is to keep looking up! We must always see Him who not only reigns over us, but reigns for us!
I pray that each of you will know what it means to be “ like Mount Zion”! To contiually be, “ steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
I love you all so very much!
Mike