Joy Bombs in the Psalms | Psalm 125

Somebody I respect a lot has taught me to give everybody the benefit of the doubt. Assume good before you accuse someone; even in your own mind and heart. I believe one way you and I can trust the Lord is to give Him the benefit of the doubt. Assume He’s up to something good, and deep down know that He always is. When our trust in God grows, it becomes a solid foundation. We can build our lives on it.

Let’s dive into our final episode in our series on Joy, finishing strong with Psalm 125!

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Transcription:

On my nightstand, there’s a stack of books, my phone charger, and usually half a bottle of sparkling ice water. It’s my go-to drink. The strawberry watermelon flavor is my favorite because it tastes just like a liquid Jolly Rancher. Honestly, there was just one problem with this little arrangement. I kept knocking the bottle over on my nightstand, so my husband took a sturdy pencil cup and screwed it into this small wooden board to keep my sparkling ice secure. That bottle does not move, let me tell you, and that’s a good thing. Now, my books and my phone are no longer in danger of getting splashed, and the wood on my nightstand will not be further damaged. Security is a good thing. It’s good for our souls too. Welcome to our first edition of Joy Bombs in the Psalms on the Bible for busy people. I’m Erica and I’m looking forward to exploring the idea of feeling secure in Psalm 125 with you today. 

So let’s dive right in because our takeaway verse is actually verse one. Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion. They will not be defeated but will endure forever just as the mountains surround Jerusalem. So the Lord surrounds his people both now and forever. The wicked will not rule the land of the Godly for them. The Godly might be tempted to do wrong. Oh Lord, do good to those who are good whose hearts are in tune with you, but banish those who turn to crooked ways. Oh Lord, take them away with those who do evil. Boy, I don’t know about you, but I want a heart that is in tune with the Lord. All right, I want to go right back to our takeaway verse today, verse one. Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion. They will not be defeated but will endure forever. 

This Psalm was written before Christ came thousands of years ago. But let me give you a more modern context. There’s a Catholic cemetery on Mount Zion where Oscar Schindler is buried. You might have seen the movie Schindler’s List. He was the man who saved 1200 lives during the Holocaust. He’s one of my heroes. The mountain is still there. It endures and you and I can too. How can we be secure like this mountain by trusting in the Lord when something upsets you? Isn’t it so easy to jump to conclusions? I can tell you it is for me. Somebody I respect a lot has taught me to give everybody the benefit of the doubt. Assume good before you accuse someone even in your own mind and heart. I believe that one way you and I can trust the Lord is to give him the benefit of the doubt. 

Assume he’s up to something good and deep down that he always is. He is for us, not against us, and God is cool with us asking why when things go wrong. He made us so He understands us, but my friend, Mary Lou likes to say, instead of asking why God ask what for? How are you going to use this hard thing in my life? Like Mary, the mother of Jesus, when the angel Gabriel came to tell her she would carry the son of God, she said, how can this be? She gave God the benefit of the doubt, and we can too. When our trust in God grows, it becomes a solid foundation. We can build our lives on. You and I can be secure in that relationship no matter what. We are secure and we are surrounded. How about that? Verse two. The Lord surrounds his people. Just as the mountain surround Jerusalem, you are surrounded by his love and care and protection, and you are loved. 

Thank you so much for listening to the Bible for Busy People. If you need prayer or you’re ready to go a little deeper in your faith, we’ve posted some resources for you in our show notes. We’d love for you to share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review. It helps us reach even more people with the hope of Jesus. This podcast is part of Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and live in God’s purpose for your life.

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