You’re Surrounded!
One morning during my quiet and devotional time with the Lord I read a scripture and devotion from Mark Roberts that challenged me personally. He talked about being surrounded. My mind began to race and think about the things I am surrounded by every day; some are of my own choosing and then there are other things I don’t have any control over. The old adage you can pick your friends, but your relatives are a gift from God applies. You probably are saying, Pastor Sam, that’s not how I remember it! Now, Lisa and I can say we are surrounded by a great church family, mission and community and we are grateful! However, we all know that there are people, world crisis and grief and situations, relationships, jobs and financial issues . . . just the stuff of life that can surround us and even downright consume us.
David gives us a word of hope in the 125th Psalm, verse 2 – “Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever.”
“You’re surrounded!” The psalmist David uses the image of being surrounded in an opposite sense than we often can think about. The psalmist envisions Jerusalem encircled by mountains, seeing in that image a picture of God’s presence and protection. In this case, the announced “You’re surrounded!” is good news. It means “you are surrounded by God. He will protect you. He will always be with you. You are safe because you are surrounded.”
I know how it feels to be surrounded by mountains. My grandmother lived in western Pennsylvania and she lived in the valley surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains. In this valley, one can feel enveloped in the strength and beauty of the mountains, a moving reminder of God’s own strength and beauty.
Do you need to feel surrounded by God today? Do you need reassurance of his presence and strength? Do you need to know that God will protect you, that your life is in his mighty, tender hands? Remember, even as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, including you. As the fall months are upon us I invite you to be intentional in being surrounded by the presence of God. Here at the church we will continue to provide opportunities for that through our worship times, Bible studies, and other special times. However, I recognize in my life and in followers of Jesus that the need to be growing in God’s Word and to be a part of a discipleship process needs be a top priority. Discipleship is the key in how we are nurtured and how others are too. It’s also how we encourage one another in this journey of seeking the Lord together. This is why our life groups and small groups are so important in our faith journey.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself as you think about God’s presence surrounding you…When have you felt surrounded by God’s loving presence? What difference might it make in your life if you were to live with the assurance of God’s protection? What helps you to feel “surrounded” by God?
OUR PRAYER TOGETHER CAN BE: O Lord, thank you for the promise of Psalm 125, and for the image of being surrounded by you even as Jerusalem is surrounded by mountains. What a reassuring and comforting picture! Help me, Lord, to live each day with confidence in you. May I know that you are surrounding me, even when circumstances make me feel vulnerable and unsafe. Help me to trust in your presence and protection. I think of people in my life who need to know that you are surrounding them today…__________ pray them to the Lord. And as apostle Paul spoke this blessing upon the church in Rome I pray this for my church family. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so you might overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 15:13) The Good News is that we can share this hope with others in our lives each day!
In His Love and Service.
Pastor Sam