Monday, December 4, 2023 - SURROUNDED BY THE LORD

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Monday, December 4, 2023 - Day 338  - (Today’s Bible readings: Nehemiah 9:1-15; Psalm 125; Revelation 3:7-13)

SURROUNDED BY THE LORD

“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.” (Psalm 125:2 ESV)

“The hills encompassing Jerusalem are like sentinels, reminders of God’s watchfulness.” (The Lutheran Study Bible, CPH 2009, page 975)

The Lord is watching over you. You are surrounded by His protection, along with His mercy and grace. 2 Kings 6 records an event that powerfully illustrates this fact:

“And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 King 6:15-17 ESV)

Open your eyes of faith and see that God is with you too, protecting you from evil  through the death and resurrection of Jesus. In this old hymn, “Zion” refers to the Church, all believers in Christ.

   1. Zion stands by hills surrounded, 

Zion, kept by pow’r divine;

All her foes shall be confounded 

Tho’ the world in arms combine.

Happy Zion, What a favored lot is thine!

  2. Ev’ry human tie may perish, 

Friend to friend unfaithful prove,

Mothers cease their own to cherish, 

heav’n and earth at last remove;

But no changes Can attend Jehovah’s love.

  3. In the furnace God may prove thee, 

Thence to bring thee forth more bright,

But can never cease to love thee; 

Thou are precious in His sight.

God is with thee, God, thine everlasting Light.

(“Zion Stands by Hills Surrounded,” The Lutheran Hymnal, #474)

Almighty God, thank You for surrounding me with Your protection and salvation.  Amen.

Pastor David Paape