Theme: Though hard for us to believe, when we put our trust in Christ, He gives us an immovable position. This song highlights our radical position, along with the peace that should flow from it.

You’re Immovable (125:1)

1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

The difference between trust and belief.

• Belief asks: “What (or whom) do you confess?”
• Trust asks: “On whom do you lean?”

The song is about what God does for those who trust in Him.

• But it really isn’t about how to trust God or how to develop more trust in God.
• It is more of a song about those who have relied upon, had confidence in, or hoped in God.

Romans 5:2 (ESV)—2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

The result of trust in God is to become like Jerusalem. Jerusalem (Mount Zion) is immovable and forever to God.

God sees a future new heavens, earth, and Jerusalem.

• Revelation 21:10 (ESV)—10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God…

You’re immovable and forever.

• He makes you so.
• Romans 8:29-30 — Predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son / called / justified / also glorified.

Because God Surrounds You (125:2)

2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.

Jerusalem, and the hills around it, is an image for the pilgrim of God’s surrounding protection.

The biblical saints demonstrate that His grace surrounds His people. It is not about God blessing a perfect life. But about God surrounding the life of His children.

• Take Abraham, David, and Peter — all of them found God’s grace (God chose them). Resultantly, God surrounded them during the entirety of their lives.
• Looking back — it is less about what they did right, and more about what God did for them.
• Take Israel as a congregation — many failures, but God moved them along.

Deuteronomy 33:27 (ESV)—27 The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms…

You’re Immovable — Because God surrounds you! Be secure! Double security in this song:

• 1 — Established like Jerusalem
• 2 — Surrounded like Jerusalem

God has encircled you! If you have trusted Him, look back on your life. Or if you are going to start trusting Him, imagine someday looking back on your life.

Because God Defeats Wickedness For You (125:3)

3 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.

The land of Canaan was the land of promise, allotted to the righteous. So God would not let the scepter of wickedness permanently land there. Sure, Tiglath-pilesar (Assyria) and Nebuchadnezzar (Babylonia) would come, but not forever. Their scepter would not rest on the land forever.

Wickedness has no ultimate resting place on God’s people.

• Christ example: wrath for a moment (My God, My God…), but then it is cast of (Father, into Your hands…).
• It might touch us temporarily, but not ultimately or permanently.

You do not have to engage in wickedness.

Romans 6:12 (ESV)—12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.

• Reign — There is a struggle for the throne.
• Sin — There is a challenger for the throne.
• Mortal body — This is the castle with the throne — it is under attack.
• Passions — These are the insider forces that could deliver the throne.
• Obey — This is the slow process of incrementally surrendering the throne.
• Therefore — Our position in Christ (dead and alive).

Because God Does More Good Than You (125:4)

4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts!

God’s good towards His people is grace.

Let’s take Nate Holdridge as as example.

• My “good” has been a response to His goodness.
• My “good” has been enabled by a new nature given by His goodness.
• My “good” has been empowered by His goodness.
• My “good” has led to a good life — by His design — which is His goodness.
• My “good” then unleashes more of His goodness.
• Bottom line: I can never catch up with Him!

Romans 3:27 (ESV)—27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.

Because — To God – Backsliding Is Decided Defection (125:5)

5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the Lord will lead away with evildoers! Peace be upon Israel!

Decision point vs. ups and downs.

• There are — Zephaniah 1:6 (ESV)— 6 those who have turned back from following the Lord, who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him.”
• 2 Timothy 2:12–13 (ESV)—12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

But we don’t have to walk around in paranoia. God looks for progress, not perfection. To stumble and slip is one thing, while to consciously decide is quite another.

Proverbs 14:14 (ESV)—14 The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.

So, All This Should Bring You Peace (125:5)

5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the Lord will lead away with evildoers! Peace be upon Israel!

Peace be upon the faithful. The song starts with the immovability of Jerusalem and ends with peace upon Israel.

Let’s take this as a priestly exhortation and prayer. To chill. To relax. Rest in what God is doing for you.

Galatians 6:16 (ESV)—16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.