1 Kings 2:1-3:2 / Acts 5 / Psalm 125 / Proverbs 16:25
Feeling safe is one of the most basic human needs. If we don’t feel safe, we will not walk through life with confidence and we will not fulfill the calling God has for us. Our confidence cannot be in people or things; our confidence must be in the Lord. As I talked about recently, people will disappoint us, but God will not.
Psalm 125:2 Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forever.
Here in East Tennessee, we are in a valley, surrounded by mountains on one side and a plateau on the other. There have been many instances over the 46 years I’ve lived here when a storm system was coming from the west, and once that storm came across the plateau, it would dissipate before affecting those in the valley. The mountains and the plateau have been a protection for those of us living in the valley.
I imagine it is the same for the mountains that surround Jerusalem; I’m sure they have been a source of protection for the city these many years. The mountains likely protect from storms, wild animals, etc. The mountains would also give a vantage point to see invaders attempting to affect Jerusalem.
The meaning of Jerusalem is “pointing the way to completeness”. I believe this protected city allows those who live in her both to feel safe and to fulfill God’s call because of that safety.
Just as Jerusalem has mountains that surround her, you and I have the LORD surrounding us for protection and safety. He is able to guard us from all enemies and negative influences. That does not mean we are not affected by things, however, everything that comes our way must first pass through the LORD. He is like a filter for everything that comes.
We must not forget that difficulty and trials shape and mature us into the image of Christ. Therefore, we cannot and must not be shielded from everything that attempts to come our way. Otherwise, our growth would be stifled, and we would never grow up into Christ. God forbid that should happen!
Today, as you’re facing whatever may come your way, remember that you are surrounded. Not by evil and chaos, but by the LORD and His Shalom! He is speaking peace (safety and strength) over you every single minute of every single day. You are able to overcome whatever happens!
(The picture above is a painting I did in a Prophetic Art class. The scripture above is the one the Lord gave me. He told me to paint that verse and this is the result!)
