“As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever” (Psalm 125:2). Sometimes the mountains are ominous and fill us with fear because of the unknown, or because they are so great and we are so small. But God also uses mountains as a picture of the refuge and comfort that He provides for His people. Jerusalem was placed on top of Mount Zion and was ultimately a picture of heaven. Jerusalem was also where God’s people gathered to worship and thank Him. It was where they could be closest to God in those ancient times. Psalm 125 was one of the Psalms that the children of Israel would sing as they approached Jerusalem for their once-a-year feast of the Passover, and as they climbed mount Zion, they would be reminded of the comfort and care that God gave to His people by looking at the mountains that surrounded Jerusalem. Just as those mountains protected Jerusalem from its enemies, so God protects His people from their enemies. He surrounds us with His love and care and protection, giving us the grace and the strength that we need to fight Satan, the world, and especially our own sinful nature. He protects us from being slaves to sin by His work in saving us through His Son, our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. And there is where the picture is not perfect, as the reality is. Eventually Israel’s enemies did break through those mountains and brought Israel into captivity, destroying Jerusalem. But because we are protected by God, sin will never destroy or completely overtake us, God’s precious children. Yes, there are times where it may seem that we have fallen into sin and can’t find our way out, but don’t give up hope, Child of God. He forgives those who repent in a true and sincere sorrow for their sin, and He will lead each one of His own back to Him in His good timing. “I will lift my eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth!” (Psalm 121:1).
LK
Young Calvinists 