Security

Trent Cornwell

Vision Baptist Church

Book of Psalms • Sermon • Submitted a year ago • Presented a year ago

Psalm 125

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Notes

Transcript

Service Notes

Seedline

Review of time in NYC [pictures]

Sermon Introduction

Is there really any persecution of Christians in America. - Chinese believer in Flushing

This psalm of trust seems to have been written when the nation was under a wicked government, either corrupt Israelite leaders or Gentile dominion.

Life under the “Rod of Wickedness”; which refers to a wicked government.

There is no clear indication of the setting of the psalm.

Whatever the occasion, the psalmist was convinced that those who lived faithfully would not be caught up in the wickedness of the state under such leaders.

The main emphasis of the theology of the psalm, then, concerns the security of the believers, especially in trying times—and the insecurity of the make-believers who will be exposed at those difficult times.

The focus of Psalm 124 was on deliverance; but the focus of Psalm 125 is perseverance, first stated positively, then negatively.

The emphasis of Psalm 125 is not on the precariousness/danger of the Christian life but how we have a solid footing. Living as a Christian is not walking a tightrope without a safety net high above a breathless crowd, many of whom would like nothing better than the morbid thrill of seeing you fall; it is sitting secure in a fortress. - Peterson

Structure of the Psalm

National Song of Confidence

v.1-3 Expressing the confident trust of the people

v. 4 forming the prayer

v. 5 a warning.

Psalm 125 (KJV)

A Song of degrees.

1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

Summary by Allen Ross

Believers are as secure as the mountains around them because the LORD who surrounds them will not allow them to be tested beyond their endurance; but those who turn aside to wicked ways will endure the same fate as the wicked.

Confident Reminder: Secure because of God’s Presence

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion – Unmovable, forever

Psalm 125:1 “1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.”

Contrast seen by the unfaithful. Psalm 125:5 “5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.”

This word “trust” is a strong word, meaning to find security, feel secure or confident, or to rely on something

The true believer is as secure and immoveable in the faith as the rocky Mount Zion.

The psalmist wants those who trust in the Lord to know that a position of trust is a position of stability. Psalm 46:4-5 “4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.”

Picture of Mount Zion

Those who trust in the Lord are like Jerusalem – Fully guarded, forever

Psalm 125:2 “2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.”

God surrounds His people as mountains surround Jerusalem

This brought protection to Jerusalem

God is our guard against the power of sin and Satan and the opposition of the world. John 10:27-29 “27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

When Paul stood trial before Nero, all deserted him, which was no doubt a time of great discouragement but he was not alone. 2 Tim 4:16-17 “16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.”

Jesus knew what it was to be severely tempted, but he also knew the experience of angels ministering to Him thereafter Matthew 4:11 “11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”

A Confident Realization: Those who trust in the Lord are protected – Evil will not rule forever

Psalm 125:3 “3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.”

Such rulers would make life difficult for the righteous to hold to their integrity

The fear of the fire of persecution is not us burning in it, but us bowing to avoid it.

The point is that the true believer would not begin to get involved in evil activities just because there is a wicked government making it difficult for them to hold to their integrity or appealing to change.

Basic to that way of escape is the wholehearted trust in the LORD that brings security in the faith. 1 Cor 10:13 “13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

God’s people throughout history have testified to the same truth. Think of John Newton’s memorable words:

Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

Or listen to these words by Charitie Lees Bancroft:

When Satan tempts me to despair, And tells me of the guilt within, Upward I look and see Him there Who made and end to all my sin. Because the sinless Saviour died, My sinful soul is counted free, For God, the just, is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me.

Transition: As people living in a world that is largely opposed to God the temptation is to start to believe that God shouldn’t be trusted; to believe that the ways of the world are more reasonable. 1 Cor 15:58 “58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

A Confident Request: We need God’s Favor in our Life

This is a prayer. Psalm 125:4 “4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.”

It’s a prayer for God to protect, preserve and provide for His people. Romans 8:28 “28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Blessed and highly favored

This isn’t an expression we often use. Luke 1:28 “28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”

What is good here? Give the faithful what is needed for their lives, freedom from oppression and prosperity.

Upright in heart

We often use this to me the opposite of what it really means, “You know they have a good heart”

In the Old Testament the word “heart” is commonly used (as a metonymy of subject) to represent the will or the innermost capacity of making choices

Compromise does not bring protection

Psalm 125:5 “5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.”

The idea of “turning aside” is figurative (an implied comparison) for abandoning the faith and following the way of the world and for ancient Israel also the gods of the world.

These must be people who in the final analysis are not the upright in heart. 1 John 5:19 “19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”

Crooked Ways (plural): Not referring to a small infraction of God’s law or a sin of ignorance; it describes giving oneself over to corrupt activities.

“Lord, let not wickedness, tyranny, and lies continue, lest we be drawn into the same sins in our opposition to them.”

In 1944, just months before he was hanged by the Nazis for being an enemy of of the Reich, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote this hymn based on Psalm 125.

By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered,

And confidently waiting, come what may,

We know that God is with us night and morning

And never fails to greet us each new day.

Yet is this heart by its old foe tormented,

Still evil days bring burdens hard to bear;

O give our frightened souls the sure salvation

For which, O Lord, You taught us to prepare.

And when this cup You give is filled to brimming

With bitter suffering, hard to understand,

We take it thankfully and without trembling,

Out of so good and so beloved a hand.

Yet when again in this same world You give us

The joy we had, the brightness of Your sun,

We shall remember all the days we lived through,

And our whole life shall then be Yours alone.

Benediction

Psalm 125:5 “5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.”

The benediction is on those who trust, not on all those who turn aside from the LORD to live in wickedness

The psalm ends with the desire for better times; but in the meantime it reminds the faithful of their security in the LORD in contrast to the unfaithful who will be judged

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