Finding Unshakable Security In God Songs of Ascent: Practices of the Lifelong Journey Series [6] Psalm 125

SEARCHING FOR SECURITY IN INSECURE TIMES * Security (n.) freedom from danger, fear, or anxiety. - Merriam-Webster Dictionary What makes us “feel” secure:  Having a secure job or consistent income  Having sufficient fund in the bank  Having no debts or planned debts under control  Having a planned savings/retirement program  Having good health/car/house/life insurance  Having a dependable, caring network of family & friends  Living in a gated community or in a safe neighborhood. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  BUT, all these things can change--they cannot make us secure unshakably.

SEARCHING FOR SECURITY IN INSECURE TIMES Where to find “unshakable” security:  Having confidence that we will be okay because of God regardless what happens in this world.  Having confidence that we will be accepted by God no matter how weak I feel in my faith journey. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  Psalm 125 is a pilgrim song about finding unshakable security in God.

Psalm 125 [ESV] A Song of Ascents. Of David. 1Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. 2As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore. 3For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong. 4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! 5But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the LORD will lead away withevildoers! Peace be upon Israel!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FIND UNSHAKABLE SECURITY IN GOD? 1)It means to trust in GOD’S UNCHANGING CHARACTER. 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 forevermore. (vs.1-2)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FIND UNSHAKABLE SECURITY IN GOD? 1)It means to trust in GOD’S UNCHANGING CHARACTER.  For the Hebrew pilgrims, Mount Zion in Jerusalem was a visual aid for security, immovability, and stability.  Who are secure and stable like Mount Zion? Those who trust in the LORD—not those who trust in their performances, in their morals, and in their righteousness. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FIND UNSHAKABLE SECURITY IN GOD? 1)It means to trust in GOD’S UNCHANGING CHARACTER.  For the Hebrew pilgrims, Mount Zion in Jerusalem was a visual aid for security, immovability, and stability.  Who are secure and stable like Mount Zion? Those who trust in the LORD—not those who trust in their performances, in their morals, and in their righteousness.  Why? It’s NOT because our faith is immovable BUT because our God is immovable in his unchanging character—our security is in IMMOVABLE GOD who surrounds us like mountains!

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

My Security Comes From… And as we learn that, we learn to live not by our feelings about God but by the facts of God. I refuse to believe my depressions; I choose to believe in God. If I break a leg I do not become less a person. My wife and children do not repudiate me. Neither when my faith fractures or my feelings bruise does God cast me off and reject me. My feelings are important for many things. They are essential and valuable. They keep me aware of much that is true and real. But they tell me next to nothing about God or my relation to God. My security comes from who God is, not from how I feel. Discipleship is a decision to live by what I know about God, not by what I feel about him or myself or my neighbors. - Eugene Peterson

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FIND UNSHAKABLE SECURITY IN GOD? 2)It means to trust in GOD’S PROMISE even when life is unstable. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong. (v.3)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FIND UNSHAKABLE SECURITY IN GOD? 2)It means to trust in GOD’S PROMISE even when life is unstable.  God in his sovereignty allows the wicked to prosper momentarily, but this is only a small part of the BIG PICTURE (e.g., Job, Joseph, Daniel, Christ, Paul, etc.).  In those unstable times, we may be tempted to (1) be discouraged, (2) give in or (3) compromise our values/way. Faith means to trust in what God said and promised.  What is God’s promise? That the wicked will not last long and God will be good to his people.

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. 9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. 10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. Psalm 37:7-11

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FIND UNSHAKABLE SECURITY IN GOD? 3)It means to trust in GOD’S GRACE AND SHALOM for our everyday life. 4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! 5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the LORD will lead away with evildoers! Peace be upon Israel! (vs.4-5)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FIND UNSHAKABLE SECURITY IN GOD? 3)It means to trust in GOD’S GRACE AND SHALOM for our everyday life.  GOD’S GRACE is his goodness to his people (those who trust in the LORD). God’s grace is sufficient for each of us. 3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:3-6

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FIND UNSHAKABLE SECURITY IN GOD? 3)It means to trust in GOD’S GRACE AND SHALOM for our everyday life.  GOD’S GRACE is his goodness to his people (those who trust in the LORD). God’s grace is sufficient for each of us.  On the other hand, in due time God will punish those who go their own crooked ways. There will be two kinds of people in the end: Those that will say to God “Thy will be done” and those to whom God will say “Thy will be done.” C. S. Lewis

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FIND UNSHAKABLE SECURITY IN GOD? 3)It means to trust in GOD’S GRACE AND SHALOM for our everyday life.  GOD’S GRACE is his goodness to his people (those who trust in the LORD). God’s grace is sufficient for each of us.  On the other hand, in due time God will punish those who go their own crooked ways.  GOD’S SHALOM [peace] is upon Israel—i.e., all who belong to God in Christ Jesus—Jews and Gentiles.  This peace, “SHALOM” is more than absence of war—it means wholeness, safety, well-being, security found in our reconciliation with God through Christ.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Praying the Songs of Ascent #6 -- Psalm 125 [MSG] A Pilgrim Song 1-3 Those who trust in God are like Zion Mountain: Nothing can move it, a rock-solid mountain you can always depend on. Mountains encircle Jerusalem, and God encircles his people— always has and always will. The fist of the wicked will never violate What is due the righteous, provoking wrongful violence.

Praying the Songs of Ascent #6 -- Psalm 125 [MSG] A Pilgrim Song 4-5 Be good to your good people, God, to those whose hearts are right! God will round up the backsliders, corral them with the incorrigibles. Peace over Israel!

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.Find your unshakable security in GOD WHO SURROUNDS YOU.  Do not seek your security in things or people.  Do not seek security in religions.  Trust in God’s unchanging character as your security. 2.Hold onto GOD’S SHALOM when life is unstable.  Do not compromise your faith/values.  Trust and commit you way to God.  RELAX in God’s shalom on your everyday life.