I will not be moved!

I remember seeing during the height of the pandemic this phrase “Faith over Fear.” So many of us had fears that surrounded the pandemic and the effects of quarantine period. So this phrase became a reminder, particularly to us Christians, that we are to live in faith and not let fear take control. We need to be reminded every once in a while that our God is still in control of this world and this world does not control us.

Pray and Read Psalms 124-125

Psalm 124 (NRSV)

A Song of Ascents. Of David. If it had not been the Lord who was on our side —let Israel now say— if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 125 (NRSV)

A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time on and forevermore. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous might not stretch out their hands to do wrong. Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts. But those who turn aside to their own crooked ways the Lord will lead away with evildoers. Peace be upon Israel!

First thing that I want us to understand it that our enemy isn’t flesh and blood, the enemies of Israel were in many cases, but ours are not. In Ephesians 6:12 it says:

Ephesians 6:12 NRSV

For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Now, when we read the first Psalm, we hear the Psalmist, possibly King David or someone who wrote for him, rejoice that they survived the attack by their enemy. I am sure King David’s original version was a song of victory. For this song to be used here is a chance for the Hebrew people to remember that God always helps them when the enemy attacks. God always promises that Israel will never fall to total destruction. I know what you may be saying, “Wait, but they didn’t really survive the exile. Some people were killed, others where kidnapped and sold into slavery, and many others were drugged away from their home and not allowed to go back for decades!” Yes, but did they die? That is a funny saying that we have used in our home when someone goes on a dramatic vent about an experience that they had recently. For example, Savannah who is the most dramatic member of our family, so I will use her as the example, comes busting in the front door. “I almost broke my leg tripping on the concrete steps outside.” Then John, the king of dad jokes will respond, “But did you die?”

The exile was a devastating time for the Israelites. They lost their home, possessions, and many loved ones. However, they as a people were not wiped out completely. Instead, they were given some provisions that we can read about in Daniel, Esther and Nehemiah. God did protect them from any further harm. They faced the consequence of breaking their covenant with God which meant loss of the land and way of life, but they were always God’s people, and He loves them.

So, yes, they did escape all that their enemies wanted to do to them. God stopped the total destruction. This is what they remember now as they ascend to their homeland. Their help is in the Lord, Creator of all things.

This leads us into the second Psalm which reminds us that when we put our trust in the Lord, we cannot be shaken by the worlds turmoil. Instead we safely abide in the Lord strong as a mountain. “We will not be moved!” That that another phrase that I have heard a lot over time. We may have heard that phrase used in protests or marches where a group of people are declaring their beliefs as a unified front and vowing to stand together until they see their justice or see a change in the laws or in society. We are Christians need to say this phrase together as a unified body of believers simply to state in whom we put our faith. The Lord surrounds His people for all time as a strong tower or like the tallest mountain.

Remember the definition to the word “abide?” Abide means to remain within or to stay a part of something. When we abide in Christ, we remain in Him and He remains in us. Remember Jn 15:5:

John 15:5 NRSV

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.

We may face hardships, temptations, trails, failures and see destruction in the world. However, when we stand strong and abide in our faith, we cannot be moved or shaken. When we strive to be obedient to God and do what is right in His eyes, then God will do right by us. Those that are not obedient will not have the strong hand of the Lord to keep them from destruction.

Basic science, or common sense, tells us that human beings cannot be as strong as mountains. But, remember that our enemy is not flesh and blood either. I bet most of you understand that this is just an analogy. However, I want you to also remember that your Savior is the creator of every mountain, from the ones that we can see to the ones that are spiritual, mental, and emotional. Even still, if we are honest, there are many times when we just cannot be as spiritually strong as a mountain either. This is where our faith comes in. This is why we abide in Christ. He is stronger, mightier, and has all control over this world. Do you have faith the size of the mountain that is in front of you? That is all that is required. I want you to imagine that you are holding on to God through every storm, even if you caused them. Cling to God for grace and mercy. Cling to God for forgiveness and blessings beyond measure. Abide in your Lord with all that is within you and let Him be your strength.