March 26, 2021
Psalm 125
To the tune of “Lord Jesus, Think on Me” S.M. Sing it at soundtrackforlent.com
1 Those who trust in the Lord
are like Mount Zion’s hill
which can’t be shaken, but endures
forever firmly still.
2 As mountains do surround
your walls, Jerusalem;
The Lord surrounds His people now,
And evermore keeps them.
3 The reign of wicked ones
will not remain or stand,
Over the place allotted to
the righteous and their land.
For then the righteous might
do evil with their hand;
4 Do good, O Lord, to those good ones
who for the upright stand.
5 But those who turn aside
to crooked, evil ways;
The Lord will banish with all wrong—
Peace for all Isr’el’s days.
CONSIDER THIS
Of all the prayers God hears every day, what kind of prayers do you think he hears the most? My hunch is he mostly hears a prayer that comes down to about three words, “Keep us safe.” Next to food, water, and shelter, human beings crave safety and security. Yes, I’d say people pray for safety more than just about anything else. Am I right?
Like a number of others, Song 125 offers a different strategy from anxious prayers for safety. Instead of praying for safety, this song declares protection. It states security: “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people” (v. 2). Not only that, it projects images of protection and security. Note, the song doesn’t say, “God keeps us safe.” The song reaches for an image of protection and leads us to sing into that picture. That’s what metaphors are for. They cause the soul to think. To declare that God keeps us safe is a truth, but it keeps things at the level of knowledge. To declare, “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people”—now, that’s a vision!
Faith requires a comprehension beyond mere knowledge of truth. Faith is far more about seeing a vision than possessing knowledge.
The more our songs declare protection, the less we will find ourselves praying for safety. There’s just a lot more pressing agendas that need our prayers—like praying for a great awakening to the gospel in this land and beyond, or praying for the persecuted or the poor, and on we could go.
Sure, praying for safety is fine. But might declaring God’s protection be a bolder strategy? I say to go for it!
And instead of telling one another to be safe, how about we start encouraging one another to be bold!
And don’t just say it—sing it.
Ask Yourself. Share with Another.
Are you ready to get beyond the safe confines of prayers for safety? How about the approach of the psalmist to declare protection around yourself and those you love? Will you try that? As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so does the Lord surround [insert your people].
P.S.
Here’s a powerful testimony from our first Awakened Life Course:
I realized that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was what I had been missing in my Christian life for many years. I wasn’t unaware, but hadn’t fully surrendered parts of me & was silencing Him, in essence. I’m slowly waking up & hearing Him speak more & His power is helping me gain some new victory over some strongholds I felt helpless & defeated in. Thank you for this teaching!!!
I would love to see you take part in this. Learn More and Register Here. Starts April 12 and runs four weeks.
For the Awakening,
J.D. Walt
Sower-in-Chief
seedbed.com
One Response
Most mornings I read through the Breastplate of St. Patrick. It is the reminder of the one thing I have learned over the last years: The power, grace and protection of God are already there; we just need to claim it/live into it.