Psalm 125

A song of ascents.

1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.
3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.
4 LORD, do good to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.
5 But those who turn to crooked ways
the LORD will banish with the evildoers.
Peace be on Israel.

Key Verse:
3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.

Key Observation:
His people shall endure forever, with Jerusalem.

Memory Verse:
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.

Devotion:
In reading the psalm, which I always do before checking commentaries, I thought it was self evident that this psalm referred to the millennium. How good it was to see McGee speak on this: “This has been called a “Song of Security” and is a prediction of Israel’s national restoration.”

Notice the promise: “Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” And again: “2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” Forevermore is a long time. The time of the Lord’s evident abandonment are clear to the student of history, as is the miraculous regathering of Israel in time to get ready for the final act. I know of no other act in all of history that is so full of portent as the regathering of Israel. Consider well, my friend, if you are skeptical about the things of God. The Bible predicts a “time of Jacob’s trouble” and goes into many chapters of different authors, separated by thousands of years, to describe in detail what will happen during this “seventieth week of Daniel”. Israel will be surrounded on all sides by those who want to destroy her. At that time a man will be raised up, and speak words that will bring an uneasy peace to the situation, and at the same time he himself will receive undue regard. After three and a half years, Israel will be betrayed, yet shall endure great trials. At the end of those years it will be the intercession of the Lord Christ himself who will save Israel. These things are easily read, and can be interpreted most easily with help either from a basic Bible scholar, or a good conservative commentary.

Consider well the claims that God has made:
1) Christ is sent into the world to die for the world’s sins.
2) Whoever shall believe this shall be redeemed for all eternity.
3) He that believeth not shall be condemned already, because he rejects God’s only plan of redemption.
All of the above words are taken from John 3, where God has many more things to say.

Once, not so many years ago, two friends presented Christ to a young college student, telling him of these future things that must come to pass. Being a scoffer, but intrigued, the college student went home, read Revelation and Daniel and Ezekiel, and simply prayed, “God, if you are really there, caring about me, please reveal yourself to me.” He did. Gloriously! And here I am, by the grace of God, some forty years later. Why not consider believing him today? God indeed loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life, just as he has for mine.

McGee, J. Vernon (1990-01-30). Thru the Bible 1-5 (5 Volume Set) (Kindle Locations 51241-51242). Grupo Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Since Jesus Came Into My Heart

1. What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

2. I have ceased from my wandering and going astray,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And my sins, which were many, are all washed away,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

3. I'm possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

4. There's a light in the valley of death now for me,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And the gates of the City beyond I can see,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

5. I shall go there to dwell in that City, I know,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And I'm happy, so happy, as onward I go,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

Chorus:
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Floods of joy o'er my soul
Like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.

Lyrics: Rufus Henry McDaniel