Jer. 25:8-17
Rom. 10:1-13
John 9:18-41
Psalm 125
1Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time on and forevermore.
3For 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.
4Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts.
5But those who turn aside to their own crooked ways the LORD will lead away with evildoers.
Peace be upon Israel!
I am fortunate to have lived near mountains most of my life. When I am in a location that doesn’t have mountains, I find myself disoriented and don’t know which direction I am facing. Mountains are comforting because they give definition to the landscape. I know that if the mountains are to my right, I am facing north. In Colorado Springs, it is the opposite, since the mountains are to the west of the city.
Just like the mountains give orientation to my life, the Lord provides direction to us all. The psalmist says “the Lord surrounds his people” like mountains. When we trust in God’s direction, we are better off than when we trust ourselves. When the word of God is on our side, we are facing the right direction.
Mountains also provide protection and form a buffer against some forms of weather. There are less tornados, for instance, in the mountains. God, too, provides protection from the storms of life. When we trust in God’s protection, we find peace and security that isn’t the norm in the culture around us.
I have a bookmark adapted from a saying by Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Indian spiritual leader, b.1926) that is a reminder of the care of God and our response. It says:
Where there is Faith, there is Love
Where there is Love, there is Peace
Where there is Peace, there is God
Where there is God, there is no need.
Do mountains remind you of the security of God? Are you able to trust in the Lord to surround you with protection and direction?
For your journal: Find a photo of mountains to paste in your journal or draw some mountains, if you prefer. On the faces of the mountains, or under the picture list some ways you feel upheld, strengthened and protected by God.
Rom. 10:1-13
John 9:18-41
Psalm 125
1Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time on and forevermore.
3For 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.
4Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts.
5But those who turn aside to their own crooked ways the LORD will lead away with evildoers.
Peace be upon Israel!
I am fortunate to have lived near mountains most of my life. When I am in a location that doesn’t have mountains, I find myself disoriented and don’t know which direction I am facing. Mountains are comforting because they give definition to the landscape. I know that if the mountains are to my right, I am facing north. In Colorado Springs, it is the opposite, since the mountains are to the west of the city.
Just like the mountains give orientation to my life, the Lord provides direction to us all. The psalmist says “the Lord surrounds his people” like mountains. When we trust in God’s direction, we are better off than when we trust ourselves. When the word of God is on our side, we are facing the right direction.Mountains also provide protection and form a buffer against some forms of weather. There are less tornados, for instance, in the mountains. God, too, provides protection from the storms of life. When we trust in God’s protection, we find peace and security that isn’t the norm in the culture around us.
I have a bookmark adapted from a saying by Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Indian spiritual leader, b.1926) that is a reminder of the care of God and our response. It says:
Where there is Faith, there is Love
Where there is Love, there is Peace
Where there is Peace, there is God
Where there is God, there is no need.
Do mountains remind you of the security of God? Are you able to trust in the Lord to surround you with protection and direction?
For your journal: Find a photo of mountains to paste in your journal or draw some mountains, if you prefer. On the faces of the mountains, or under the picture list some ways you feel upheld, strengthened and protected by God.
