THE STRENGTH OF A MOUNTAIN

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 forever. 3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity. 4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, And to those who are upright in their hearts. 5 As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, The LORD shall lead them away With the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel! Psalm 125 (NKJV)

Psalm 125 is an example of glancing quickly at a verse, finding a thought to meditate on and then moving on. The problem can be that you will have missed the deeper meaning of the message.

At a quick first reading, I can see a picture of me sitting in Jerusalem with the hills and mountains surrounding the City. I can feel secure and at peace. I can infer that those mountains are the strength of the Lord. That is a great feeling. But think a little more. In the context of today, we know that Jerusalem is not a safe place to be, no matter how many hills and mountains surround it. We know that planes fly over the mountains and that from the earliest days people found ways to make their way through the passes from one side to the other. Now that sense of peace and security begins to fade away.

This does not mean that there cannot be peace and security; it simply means we have to look at the passage again and discover the little word "like." The strength, the peace, the security is there because we are LIKE Mount Zion and cannot be moved but abide forever. Sitting in Jerusalem, surrounded by majestic mountains we can still be physically harmed. If we place our complete trust in God, we will be attacked, Satan will try to destroy us, but we cannot be moved.

What is your faith level today? The less time you have to spend with God in prayer and Bible Study, the weaker your faith becomes and the mountain begins a process of erosion. The more time we spend with God in Prayer and Bible Study, the stronger our faith becomes and we cannot be moved. May that be our goal. Is it possible? Look up St. Matthew 17:20 and see what Jesus says about the strength of faith.

WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, we sometimes wander aimlessly and fearfully through this world of sin. We are always worrying or looking over our shoulders wondering what is going to attack us next. Help us, O Lord, to grow in faith to know that we do not have to live like that. Help us to know that all we need do is "Cast our cares upon you." AMEN

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

Identify one small thing about yourself that you would like to change.

Maybe it is a habit, a fear, not exercising, not eating right, not getting enough sleep, or whatever is really important to you. Then pray about it several times a day and listen for God’s help and guidance. As a example - exercise. A simple prayer - Lord, help me to exercise more. AMEN. Listening -- This is one of many ways that God might answer. When you drive into a parking lot, if a thought enters your mind that you should park far away from the building entrance instead of as close as you can -- Do it -- That is God answering you. Also listen when others talk about simple things they do for exercise. That is God answering you through them. Pray. Listen. Do. Build your Faith.