Secure as Mount Zion Beyond Circumstance-a Short Note.

“Those who Trust in the Lord are as Secure as Mount Zion;

they will not be defeated but will endure forever.

Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so the Lord surrounds His people, both now and forever.”

Psalm 125:1-2

            Security in all forms of the word is a concept coveted by many in the current American culture, yet remains void within the echo’s of the empty hearts in our world. What does it mean to have security within a world that defines it as such a monetary or materialistic means? If you have enough ‘stuff’, or ‘money’, or a good enough ‘reputation’ you can achieve real ‘security’. We have so ill-defined the word secure that the truth of God’s reality is far from the every expression or understanding of the word ‘secure’.

            As I was grappling with the intensity of a new school year full of new students, a new room mate, new classes, a new exam called the GRE, and a new set of social pressures and emotions, I found myself lost for words and feeling greatly outnumbered by the evils of this world. My heart was saddened and perplexed within the small corner I occupied at a coffee shop here on campus.  To make matters all the greater, I had just received some news of a situation needing all of my focus and emotional attention (both of which I had none at this point). I had finally come to the point where I was so overwhelmed my soul and all that was within me cried out to Jesus in the midst of a soy latte and an English paper. Then the words slowly poured in, “ Trust in me, and you will be as secure as Mount Zion.” I searched my word with fervor until I came across Psalm 125.  My heart began to melt within the presence of the Almighty, here in my corner in the coffee shop. Those who Trust in the Lord are as Secure as Mount Zion, they will not be defeated. We know authentic security when we become fully engulfed in the nature of the Almighty God. (How big He is!) We are to trust in the Lord in order that security may be gained, and the promise of enduring forever comes into full fruition. I love when the Lord shares with us in 1John 4:4, “ For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve victory through our faith.” The irony surrounding the paradoxical reality of our faith is astounding. In order for us to gain security, we must give everything up and release control of ourselves. Trusting the Lord means giving Him EVERYTHING WE HAVE, both physically and spiritually. It’s a constant surrender of all that we think and know we are, and all we have. It’s understanding that we do not walk through this world blind, rather in dramatic understanding of what really is going on in life. It means that regardless of occupation or time-consuming activity, we understand that our purpose is always eternal. 

            Trusting the Lord is neither convenient nor easy. It requires constant and consistent surrender of all of us. It means retaining a teachable and humble heart, in order that we may hear His voice when there is an area we are failing to trust Him in. A false sense of security is such a trap in this life. Jesus expressed this beautifully in the Parable of the three servants in Matthew 25. He illustrates the hoarding and concern within the final of the three servants, who rather than invest or work with the money given to them, hid it in the ground out of fear of losing what he had. Jesus says, “ To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given unto them, and they will have an abundance.  But from those who do nothing, even with what little they have will be taken away. “ (Matthew 25:29) I am reminded of the verse in John 10 when Christ says, “ For the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come that you may live life and live it with ABUNDANCE.”  Christ’s heart for his people is for abundance, but not a materialistic abundance, rather an overwhelming abundance of His presence in our lives. While the third servant may have not lost anything, he also didn’t risk anything. We cannot risk our lives for Christ unless we are fully-trusting the one from whom they come, and we are PROMISED security like a mountain from the God who can not lie, nor breaks a promise. We are also promised a surrounding of His presence when we trust in Him for all security. He says He will surround us just as the Mountains surround Jerusalem. How my heart desires and delights in this reality. When we are obedient and trust within the God who loves us so dearly, we are rewarded with security in Him because He is everything to us.  Therefore it’s not even about a monetary or physical issue anymore, your soul leaps with the truth of God’s presence and the true stability that comes from standing on the foundation of the Living God. How beautiful!

            After hearing this expression of His love once again, I put down my word and take a sip of my latte. Though it may appear as though I am merely a student at a university, I feel as though my heart is taking an adventure of a lifetime. He is aligning my desires once again with His, constantly reminding me of His nature and love for me. This is His heart for humanity today, that we would gain a security that is not dependent upon circumstance, rather upon Him. Oh, How He Loves Us.

Soli deo Gloria,