“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. 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. Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the Lord will lead away with evildoers! Peace be upon Israel!” (v1-5)
How often does the world falsely tell us that if God exists, He can’t be a loving God because He allows the good to be punished and the wicked to be blessed? That’s the way it seems to work in this world – those who do deplorable things get away with murder (sometimes literally) and those who do good are persecuted. Despite appearances, it isn’t God’ fault that “no good deed goes unpunished”, we only have ourselves and the corruption of this world to blame.
God loves and blesses those who obey Him: “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.” (Deu 28:1-2)
Seeing how we are promised blessing and the world delivers wickedness, it’s not too hard to understand where this author’s heart is and why they make these requests (v4-5). I too am sometimes frustrated by the apparent lack of justice in this world. From the first book of the Bible we are told that this world, and some of the governing forces in it, are corrupt: “Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth.” (Gen 6:11-12)
Thankfully, Jesus promises us that suffering in this world is not wasted, it actually adds to our future rewards in heaven. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” (Mt 5:10-11) “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.” (Mt 10:22)
So how do we endure the slings and fiery arrows hurled at us by God’s enemies? The psalmist, David and Paul give us clues. “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.” (v1) “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.” (Psa 62:2) “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;” (Eph 6:16) Our faith and foundation in God will protect us from eternal disaster.
Father God, Almighty Fortress, our Rock and our Shelter, we praise You. Though we are foreigners in this world, and it seeks to destroy us, You deliver us from eternal destruction. This world may vanquish our bodies, yet we firmly trust in You to guard our souls and keep us from harm. Father we rely on You alone for protection, and in You alone we find our strength to endure. You are our source of hope and security, no wickedness shall separate us from You. Please continue to reach those who have not yet called You their Lord and Rock, that they may experience the joy of Your salvation. May You alone be glorified in our hearts and words O God. In the name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer we ask this, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training