Safe and Secure
Psalm 125
1. Secure (verse 1)
2. Safe (verses 2-3)
3. Are you Safe and Secure? (verses 4-5)
Next to the Bible, I am confident that no other literature has helped Christian people more than that of Christian biography. Reading the lives of the saints who have gone before us has a way of helping us to remain faithful to the LORD as well.
When you read of the hardships they encountered, you gain perspective on your own hardship. When you read of the trials that they faced, you gain confidence to face your own trials. When you read of the persecutions they endured, you see that your life doesn't look so difficult after all. When you read of their failures and weaknesses, you are encouraged that you aren't the only one who is weak. When you see how the Lord sustained them through their times of trial, you grow to believe that the Lord can help you in your times of trial as well.
On the one hand, there is the encouragement that says, "If they can remain true to God, then certainly I can as well." On the other hand, there is the encouragement in God, Himself, "If God has strengthened them through their time of trial, then certainly, He can strengthen me through trial as well."
Who isn't encouraged to hear of Polycarp, the early Christian who was discipled by the apostle John, Himself? He was told to burn incense to the Romans Emperor, but refused. When threatened with martyrdom if he refused, saying, "Eighty and six years I have served him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior? Bring forth what you will." As a result, he was burned at the stake. Who isn't encouraged when reading Polycarp's story?
Who isn't encouraged by Adoniram Judson, who left America in 1812 to bring the gospel to Burma. He labored in Burma for 37 years, coming home to America only once. His hardships were many. He labored for seven years until he baptized his first convert. He married three times, because his first two wives died from the hardship. He was falsely accused of being a British spy and endured untold hardships in prison. But, God blessed his labor. When he died, the Bible was translated and there were 100 churches and 8,000 believers! Who isn't encouraged when reading Judson's story?
Who isn't encouraged by Augustine, who turned away from a life of sexual sin to become one of the greatest church fathers? By Martin Luther, who boldly stood against the errors of the entire Roman Catholic Church? By the Moravians, whose calm on the ship in the storm was the means of awakening John Wesley to his own lack of faith? By the thousands of Non-Conformist ministers who were ejected in 1662 from their churches for not conforming to the Church of England, but following their consciences? By Richard Baxter, who so gave himself to shepherding the people in Kidderminster, that he could say, "When I came to Kidderminster, there was only about one family in a whole street that worshipped God and called upon His name. When I left, there were some streets where not a family did not do so."?
Who isn't encouraged by John Newton, who was formerly a slave trader, but found Christ and went on to be a great pastor and hymn writer? By the unknown itinerant Methodist Preacher who was the means of bringing the mighty Charles Spurgeon to faith in Christ? By Fanny Crosby, who was blinded by a physician's error as an infant, but went on to encourage many with her gospel hymn? By Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who opposed the Nazi regime in Germany and imprisoned and eventually executed for so doing? By Richard Wurmbrand, who suffered greatly in a Romanian prison for years and went on to found Voice of the Martyrs and raise world-wide awareness of the persecuted church? By Jim Elliot, who gave his life seeking to reach the Waodani Indians in Ecuador with the gospel? By his wife, Elizabeth Elliot, who returned to the tribe that had killed her husband and was able to bring the gospel to them and see many converted? By Joni Eareckson Tada, who suffered a diving accident in 1967 and has served the Lord from her wheel chair ever since?
These are but a few of thousands of stories that can be told of those who have gone before us and served the Lord in great ways. Some through trial, others through martyrdom. Some for only a few years, others for decades. Some in their homelands, others in foreign lands. Some in writing, others in serving. Some in ushering in great movements of God, others in profoundly affecting only a few. Some who have become famous, others of whom the world will hardly know.
And you can read about them if you wish. And your heart can be strengthened in hearing how they lived. Just start reading Christian biography. It can have a profound impact upon your life.
Well, this morning, as we come to the Scriptures, we aren't going to read of those who have gone before us having been used of God to do great things for the Lord. But, will see the foundation of how it was that they endured in their lives.
So, I invite you to open your Bibles to Psalm 125. This is another one of those Songs of Ascents. There are fifteen of them in our Bibles (Psalms 120-134). They were sung by the people of Israel as they traveled to Jerusalem to worship three times each year. So far, we have looked at five of the Psalms -- 122, 120, 127, 124, 121. Over the next 10 weeks, I hope to work through all of them with you. Today, we are going to read Psalm 125.
Like last week, this is what I am calling a "Mountain Psalm." Last week, we looked at Psalm 121, which begins with these words, "I will lift up my eyes to the mountains, from where shall my help come?" (Psalm 121:1). Jerusalem was situated in the mountains.
As the pilgrim's made their way up to Jerusalem, they would naturally look up to the destination of their travels -- the place where they were going to worship. It would be easy for them to ask the question, "from where shall my help come?" And the Psalmist would encourage them to look beyond the mountains to the LORD, who made the mountains. "My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth." So goes the rest of the Psalm. It tells of how God is our help.
This week, we will return to the mountains. In Psalm 125, the mountains are mentioned twice (in verses 1 and 2). Let's read the Psalm. And as I do, look for the references to the mountains.
Psalm 125
Those who trust in the LORD
Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land of the righteous,
So that the righteous will not put forth their hands to do wrong.
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good
And to those who are upright in their hearts.
But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways,
The LORD will lead them away with the doers of iniquity.
Peace be upon Israel.
My first point comes from verse 1. It's simply this.
Those who trust in the Lord are ...
1. Secure (verse
1)
Psalm 125:1
Those who trust in the LORD
Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.
This verse describes the security of those who trust in the LORD. They are compared to Mount Zion.
Now, Mount Zion refers to the mountain upon which Jerusalem rests. This doesn't refer to the modern-day sprawling suburbia of Jerusalem. No, it refers to a small piece of real estate upon which the temple was built. It probably also includes the portion of the city to the south of the temple as well. This is often called, "The City of David."
It wasn't a big region. It was less than a mile long and only a few hundred yards at the widest point. It sat on this little ridge. Essentially, it was a large rock, upon which a city was built. It stood firm and secure.
The Psalmist says that, ...
Psalm 125:1
Those who trust in the LORD
Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.
The characteristic of Mount Zion that the Psalmist points out here is its security. This rock isn't going any place. You cannot move it.
The rock has been standing right where it is for thousands of years. David conquered the city somewhere around 1000 A. D. And today, some 3,000 years later, it is still there. Furthermore, it will remain until the end of time.
The security of Mount Zion is a picture of the security of those who trust in the LORD. Note again, who exactly it is who are as secure as Mount Zion -- that steady, immovable rock, ...
Psalm 125:1
Those who trust in the LORD
Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.
Who are immovable? It is those who trust in the LORD. It is those who have placed their lives in His hands. It is those who have pledged to walk in obedience to Him. It is those who have come to lean not on their own understanding. It is those who are seeking to walk in His ways.
Those who have trusted in the LORD can rest secure: "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3). Those who trust in the LORD will know and experience His care: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!" (Psalm 91:1-2). Those who trust in the LORD need have no fear, even if all around them, there is trouble and unease: "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride" (Psalm 46:1-3). "The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold" (Psalm 46:7).
The LORD is the One who grants peace and protection. The LORD is the One who calms our fears. The LORD is the One who steadies our lives. David wrote, "The king trusts in the LORD, And through the lovingkindness of the Most High he will not be shaken" (Psalm 21:7).
Have you seen it work? Do you remember when Nebuchadnezzar made and image of gold? He commanded that everyone in Babylon bow down and worship the image whenever the music was played. But, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, three Jewish boys, who were taken to Babylon in the exile refused to do so. When everyone else were bowing down and worshiping the image, they stood tall. So, they were brought before king Nebuchadnezzar, himself to answer to their refusal. And Nebuchadnezzar was fuming mad at their disobedience.
Nebuchadnezzar said to the three, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?" (Dan 3:14-15).
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up" (Dan 3:16-18).
I trust that you remember how it ends. Nebuchadnezzar was so angry with their response that he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than it was usually heated (Dan. 3:19). He then ordered them to be cast into the furnace (Dan. 3:20). But, God protected them within the furnace (Dan. 3:25). When they came out, they didn't even smell like smoke (Dan. 3:27).
How were they able to stand firm? Psalm 125:1, "Those who trust in the LORD Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever."
How about another example? Do you remember the apostle Paul? In his evangelistic efforts, He would often start in the synagogue. When the Jews heard the message first, some would usually believe. But, those who refused to believe would often kick him out of the synagogue. So, he would turn to the Gentiles and preach to them. When he did this, the Jews would often gather a mob and run him out of town.
Something close to this happened in Psidian Antioch (Acts 13:50); Iconium (Acts 14:5-6); Derbe (Acts 14:19); Philippi (Acts 16:36); Thessalonica (Acts 17:8-10); and Berea (Acts 10:13-14). When he arrived in Corinth, it was much the same. He entered the synagogue and preached to the Jews. When they had heard the message and rejected it, I'm sure that he was on the verge of leaving again.
But, the Lord appeared to Paul in a vision by night saying, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city." (1 Corinthians 18:9-10). So, what did Paul do? He settled in Corinth a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them (1 Corinthians 18:11). I'm sure that he faced much resistance during these days.
How was he able to stand firm? Psalm 125:1: "Those who trust in the LORD Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever."
How about another example? Do you remember the story of John and Betty Stam? They were missionaries to China in the 1930's. The Chinese Civil War was being fought during those days.
At one point, John and Betty were captured by the Communist Chinese, who had invaded the territory where they had been ministering. The Communist Chinese took all of their money and demanded a ransom from their sending agency. So, John wrote this letter to the China Inland Mission (dated December 6, 1934), ...
Dear Brethren,
My wife, baby and myself are to-day in the hands of the Communists, in the city of Tsingteh.
Their demand is twenty thousand dollars for our release.
All our possessions and stores are in their hands, but we praise God for peace in our hearts, and for a meal tonight.
God grant you wisdom in what you do, and us fortitude and courage, and peace of heart.
He is able-and a wonderful Friend in such a time.
Things happened so quickly this A.M.
They were in the city just a few hours after the ever-persistent rumors really became alarming, so that we could not prepare in time.
We were just too late.
The Lord bless and guide you and as for us, - may God be glorified, whether by life or by death, (Phil.I:20).
In Him,
John C. Stam [1]
Two days later, they hid their three month old daughter (Helen Pricilla) in a sleeping bag, just moments before being dragged out to a little hill outside the town. Their biographer says it this way:
Those who witnessed the tragedy marveled, as they testify, at the calmness with which both John and Betty faced the worst their misguided enemies could do. Theirs was the moral, spiritual triumph, in that hour when the very forces of hell seemed to be let loose. Painfully bound with ropes, their hands behind them, they passed down the street where he was known to many, while the Reds shouted their ridicule and called the people to come and see the execution. [2]
Soon thereafter, they were absent from the body, but present with the Lord. Through everything, John and Betty Stam stood firm. At one point, John was asked, "Where are you going?" John was able to reply, "We don't know where they are going, but we are going to heaven." [3]
How were they able to stand firm? Psalm 125:1, "Those who trust in the LORD Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever."
Have you ever seen this at work in person? Some tragedy strikes, and the one who trusts in the LORD is level-headed and serving others, rather than running around in a panic. Some family crises hits, and the family calls upon the one who trusts in the LORD, knowing that he (or she) will certainly be able to help. Some issue arises in the workplace, and the workers turn to the one who trusts in the LORD, seeking counsel and wisdom.
Those who trust in the Lord are Secure (verse 1). Not only now, but forever. "From this time forth and forever."
This is the sort of promise that we have in the Bible for those who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. We have a forever promise. "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 8:38-39).
Eternal security comes to those who trust in Jesus. We read in John 6:37, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out." Have you found your security in Jesus Christ?
Let's move on to my second point. Those who trust in the
Lord are ...
2. Safe (verses 2-3)
Look once more at Psalm 125. Verse 2 reads like this, ...
Psalm 125:2
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
Every time that I have traveled to Nepal, this Psalm has come to my mind. Many of you support children at the children's home in Bhakunde, about an hour outside of Kathmandu. The village of Bhakunde is a small village along the road heading down to India. It is surrounded by mountains. If you look to the north, you will look up to the mountains. If you look to the south, you will look up to the mountains. If you look to the east, you will look up to the mountains. If you look to the west, you will look up to the mountains.
Jerusalem was situated in a place very similar to Bhakunde. I've already told you that Jerusalem sits in the mountains. But, it is also surrounded by other mountains.
The old city of David sat on a narrow ridge running north and south. On the northern end was the Temple Mount. On the southern end, was the valley of Hinnom. The Tyropoeon Valley ran along the entire eastern edge. The Kidron Valley ran along the entire western edge.
The effect was essentially a wall of mountains surrounding Jerusalem. Furthermore, those who lived in Jerusalem built a wall around the hill to make the ascent into the city that much more difficult. The only place that the city was vulnerable was from the north, where (at least in the time of Jesus) there were heavy fortifications. All in all, Jerusalem was a very safe place.
In fact, when David initially came upon the city to attack it, the Jebusites in the city mocked David, saying, "You shall not come in here, but the blind and lame will turn you away" (2 Samuel 5:6). Yet, as the Proverb says, "Pride comes before destruction." Perhaps the arrogance of the Jebusites is the only thing that allowed the city to be overthrown by David's men. It was a safe place. Protected nicely by valleys all around and walls that were built.
And those pilgrims who came to Jerusalem to worship the LORD simply needed to take a look around them to see a picture of God's protection in their lives.
Psalm 125:2
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
How about a few illustrations? Let's begin with Job. The Bible tells us that Job was a righteous man. In fact, the LORD said of him, "There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil" (Job 1:7). When Satan heard this, he objected, saying that the only reason that Job worships the LORD is because of the protecting hand of God upon his life. "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face" (Job 1:9-11).
And so, the LORD let Satan take away all that he had. All of his possessions and all of his children. But, the LORD surrounded Job and did not allow Satan to touch him (Job 1:12). Job proved faithful to the LORD, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21).
When God pointed this out to Satan, again we hear the objection, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. However, put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face." (Job 2:4-5).
So the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life." (Job 2:6). And so, the LORD let Satan smite Job "with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head" (Job 2:7). But, Satan was not permitted to take his life (Job 2:6).
But, again, Job proved faithful to the LORD, who eventually restored his health and his fortunes. He also gave Job other children.
Sure, Job faced some terrible affliction, but the LORD was there all the time with his hedge of protection around Job.
Psalm 125:2
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
God surrounds us and keeps His people safe. Satan needs permission to touch us.
On the night in which Jesus was to die, Jesus said to Peter, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:31-32). And God will protect us. That's the point of verse 3.
Psalm 125:3
For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land of the righteous,
So that the righteous will not put forth their hands to do wrong.
In other words, though the wicked would try to thwart the way of the righteous, God surrounds His people to guard them, guide them, and protect them from falling into wickedness themselves. "Bad company corrupts good morals" (1 Corinthians 15:33). There is a way that the surrounding wickedness can lead you into doing wickedness yourself. But, God will so guard His people that "the righteous will not put forth their hands to do wrong" (verse 3).
This sounds a lot like 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." This is how safe we are. When temptation comes our way, God is in control of the temptation, and will not bring more than we can bear. And to walk the righteous way is the safe way.
How about another example? Do you remember Daniel? Like Job, he too was a righteous man. When his enemies sought to bring him down, they could only do so by finding some ground of accusation against him with regard to the law of God (Daniel 6:5). And so, they tricked the king into signing an injunction that no one could pray to any god or man, except to the king for 30 days (Daniel 6:7). If someone did pray, then he "shall be cast into the lions' den" (Daniel. 6:7).
"When Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house ... and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously" (Daniel 6:10). How easy it would have been for Daniel to have stopped praying for 30 days. But, such a thing would have been wicked in the sight of God. So Daniel kept praying. And Daniel was found out.
Though the king tried to find some way out for the sake of Daniel, his friend, there was no way out. Daniel was cast into the lions' den (Daniel 6:16).
I trust that you remember what happened. Daniel spent the whole night with the lions, safe and sound. When the king arose to see how things fared with Daniel, Daniel said this, "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime" (Daniel 6:22).
Shortly after, Daniel was taken out of the lions' den, "The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions' den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones" (Daniel 6:24). How did Daniel survive?
Psalm 125:2
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
How about another example? Do you remember when Peter was in prison? Herod the king "had James the brother of John put to death with a sword" (Acts 12:2). Peter was in prison, presumably awaiting the same fate.
And yet, we read in Acts 12, ...
Acts 12:6-11
On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and woke him up, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."
How did Peter escape prison with his life?
Psalm 125:2
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
How about another example from church history? Do you know about John Paton? He was a missionary to New Hebrides. New Hebrides was an island group in the South Pacific (which is now called Vanuato). On these islands were cannibals.
A few years before Paton arrived, two missionaries, John Williams and James Harris, were killed and eaten by cannibals only minutes after they had gone on shore. Before Paton ever went to New Hebrides, a Mr. Dickson said to him, "You will be eaten by cannibals!" Paton's famous response was this:
Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms;
I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms;
and in the Great Day my Resurrection body will rise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer. [4]
Throughout much of his time on the islands, he was under constant danger. He said, ...
Our continuous danger caused me now oftentimes to sleep with my clothes on, that I might start at a moment's warning. My faithful dog Clutha would give a sharp bark and awake me. ... God made them fear this precious creature, and often used her in saving our lives. [5]
My enemies seldom slackened their hateful designs against my life, however calmed or baffled for the moment. ... A wild chief followed me around for four hours with his loaded musket, and, though often directed towards me, God restrained his hand. I spoke kindly to him, and attended to my work as if he had not been there, fully persuaded that my God had placed me there, and would protect me till my allotted task was finished. Looking up in unceasing prayer to our dear Lord Jesus, I left all in his hands, and felt immortal till my work was done. Trials and hairbreadth escapes strengthened my faith, and seemed only to nerve me for more to follow; and they did tread swiftly upon each other's heels. [6]
If you know his story, you know that John Paton lived to be an old man. Through his endurance, many on the islands of the New Hebrides repented of their sin and came to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. How was John Paton's life spared?
Psalm 125:2
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
Those who trust in the LORD are safe and secure.
Let's turn our attention to my last point this morning.
It comes by way of a question, ...
3. Are you Safe and
Secure? (verses 4-5)
Verses 4 and 5 set before us two paths. One is the path of the righteous. The other is the path of the wicked. The one is a safe and secure path. The other is a dangerous and defenseless path.
God's hand of blessing will be upon the righteous. God's curse will be upon the wicked.
Psalm 125:4-5
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good
And to those who are upright in their hearts.
But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways,
The LORD will lead them away with the doers of iniquity.
Peace be upon Israel.
Although verse 4 is a prayer, in many ways, it is a promise. God will do good to those who are good. God will favor those who are upright in their hearts.
Psalm 84:11 tells us, "The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." And Psalm 34:8 says, "O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"
Here in Psalm 125, Verse 5 is a promise. It's a promise that contrasts the promise of verse 1. Verse 1 promises security for those who trust in the LORD. Verse 5 promises destruction for those who turn away from the LORD.
Jesus ended His famous Sermon on the Mount with a similar contrast.
Matthew 7:24-27
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall."
And the question comes here: what sort of house are you building with your life. Are you building a house of "trust"? Or, are you building a house of "turning away"? Please, hear the warning: If you turn away from the ways of the LORD, you have no reason to expect the kindness of God to rest upon your soul.
He will let you slip. He will let you stumble. And you will face the consequences of your rebellion.
But, instead of those ways, trust in the LORD. Isaiah 26:4 says to, "Trust in the LORDforever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock."
Are you "trusting" in the LORD? (verse 1). Or are you "turning away" from the LORD? (verse 5).
This sermon was delivered to Rock Valley Bible Church on
June 2, 2013 by Steve Brandon.
For more information see www.rvbc.cc.
[1] The Triumph of John and Betty Stam, p. 102.