Issue 1188 Comfortably Surrounded June 28, 2023
The photo today is Mount Baker. I often use images of that peak for a couple of reasons, it dominates the skyline here, and none of the other mountains in any direction come close to its size and beauty. It never looks the same twice, and the beauty often takes my breath away. It is one of my favourite “viewing” mountains.
We are blessed to live in Abbotsford, a community in the Fraser River Valley. Not far west of us, the Fraser Delta continues to drop silt and debris and grow the islands ever so slowly. The north side of our community is the bank of the Fraser River.
On three sides of us are mountains. To leave the valley without mountain climbing, you can head west or southwest toward the sea and coast or head east via various mountain passes.
I thought of being surrounded by mountains as I read the Psalms yesterday. Living in a community with mountains on three sides made it especially meaningful.
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 forth and forevermore.
For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous 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 crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel! Psalm 125
The mountains cannot be moved. That is a powerful image of strength and stability.
The Lord surrounds his people as the mountains surround Jerusalem (or Abbotsford). That is an excellent image of God’s omnipresence.
There is no place we can go to escape God. There is no distance in the universe too far for HIm. There is no height too high or valley so low that we can go beyond Him. Even if we were to travel forwards or backwards in time, we could not be beyond His reach as He transcends time, space and matter.
Our God isn’t limited to one space, culture, or generation.
We can rejoice that no matter where (or when) we god, the Lord has His sovereign hand on His people. Nothing can take us away from Him. There is nothing powerful enough to thwart His plans for us, plans to make us like Christ and to bring us home to glory.
Absolutely nothing life throws at us can dethrone God. The world may take our possessions and even our lives, but it cannot separate us from the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
The Spirit indwells us and cannot be removed. We are safe and secure in His hands.
Rejoice in the Lord.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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