Perseverance of the Saints

Perseverance of the Saints

December 17, 2014 Year B

Psalm 125:1-5

“Those who trust in the Lord” – saints, believers, those who follow Jesus, are the ones who are addressed in this psalm. In (Psalm 125:1), they are compared to Mount Zion. Mount Zion (in  Jerusalem) isn’t going anywhere. The saints are going to remain.

The psalmist states that the saints will persevere. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, God will surround and protect His people (Psalm 125:2). To make sure we understand, the psalmist adds that God will surround His people forever.

The psalmist has established that God will keep His people protected. This is the idea behind perseverance. God works to protect us as we continue on faith journey. This establishes the eternal security which the believer has. God never leaves them.

However, that doesn’t prevent the believer from straying. The psalmist recalls that the “scepter of the wicked” – the power of evil is around. Temptation to do injustice and as a result leave God is also around us. However, the psalmist assures us that this temptation will not lost forever (Psalm 125:3).

The psalmist pleads with God that He continue “doing good to the good” (Psalm 125:4) as an assurance that God will help persevere. God is there protecting us by “doing good” for us.

The final verse (Psalm 125:5) gives a word of warning and encouragement. The warning is for the believers to not turn aside to evil ways. The consequences are God’s banishment with the evildoers. Immediately, the question will arise as to how a person would do this. God secures the believer eternally. However, that doesn’t mean that our lives turn out to be happy on this earth. I think this verse has more to do with the condition in this life than the next. If we stray from the good that God has for us, we still end up in heaven. However, our life here becomes miserable. Misery follows disobedience. Peace follows obedience. This is the word of encouragement at the end of this psalm. The psalmist makes a statement about the result of follow God and letting Him do good in our lives. Our lives are at peace. We not no worry, no stress, no restlessness. Instead, our hearts and lives are at peace with one another.

God provides eternal security and believers persevere in that security to peace.

Application: I can be comforted by this psalm. God assures me that He will always be there for me. I still have to be obedient. Yet, God will strengthen and protect me.

Prayer: God, I know You keep me secure. Help me to persevere in obedience to Your will.