28. Rewards of Faith, Psalm 125
Hymns: RHC 324 Trusting Jesus, 242 Blessed Quietness, 334 Sweet Peace, the Gift of God’s Love
Psalm 125
1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. 2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. 3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. 4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts. 5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.
REWARDS OF FAITH
OUTLINE
- Quiet Confidence (v1-2)
- Deliverance in Trials (v3)
- Propensity for Good (v4)
- Abiding Peace (v5)
INTRODUCTION
This psalm is a testimony of the triumph of simple faith in the life of God’s people. The faith that enables them to take God for who He is, as it is written in His Word and lived on that basis! As these pilgrims made their journey to Jerusalem, they recalled the blessings of living by faith and resolve to live by faith.
There are 4 blessings that we can glean from this psalm that describes the rewards of faith.
(1) Quiet Confidence
1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
The word “trust” is an interesting word, observes, the late pastor Adrian Rogers. Its root is from the word that means “to lie face down on the ground.” The idea is that a person is totally helpless. He has been cast town and has nothing to stand upon.
It is to be totally surrendered to God as our only viable and visible help. This was the plight of Israel when they first left Egypt and journeying in the wilderness. They ran out of water after 3 days and ran out of food after 45 days. They had to learn to trust God when there was no visible means of subsistence in sight.
God had the bitter water sweet and provided manna to fall from heaven in the morning and quails in the evening for their daily meals. It was there that they learned that faith is not an option or a luxury but a necessity. They would have to pick up the manna each morning for five days and the sixth day a double-portion for the seventh day.
Israel had to learn to rest in God’s daily care for them as Jesus taught us to pray saying “Give us this day our daily bread.”
But more than that, God raised the nation of Israel for a higher calling or purpose to be a witness as God’s nation to the nations of the world. So that, these nations will be the jolt to come and worship the God of Israel.
God brought them to the Promised Land and secured in Mount Zion a place where God’s visible presence is to be acknowledged for all that He has done to bring them to this land flowing with milk and honey to fulfil His plan for them to be His witnesses.
The preposition “in” expresses “rest”, to trust in the LORD is to rest in Him, to put our confidence in the LORD’S ability to protect and help us. Such faith brings stability and strength to the heart. The psalmist uses Mount Zion to give the picture of the refuge and security of a mountain and the holiness and sacredness of Zion as the place where God dwells.
It gives the image of the everlasting existence of God with emphasis on strength and stability. It cannot be removed thus providing the trusting worshipper with restfulness and quiet confidence. Faith in God is a settling and establishing virtue, He who by His strength setteth the mountains, by the same power stays the hearts of them that trust in Him (Spurgeon).
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
As the pilgrims make their journey, they could see the towering mountains surrounding Jerusalem, the city of God. Jerusalemmeans “a foundation of peace” or “city of peace”. Jerusalem is built on a mountain plateau and surrounded by mountains related to three valleys – the Kidron on the east, the Hinnom on the west and north, and the Tyropoeon that cuts into lower part of
means “a foundation of peace” or “city of peace”. Jerusalem is built on a mountain plateau and surrounded by mountains related to three valleys – the Kidron on the east, the Hinnom on the west and north, and the Tyropoeon that cuts into lower part of city, dividing it into two unequal parts. [Zondervan Bible Encyclopedia]
The mountains surrounding Jerusalem is a pictorial image of the safety, protection, and preservation that the LORD gives to His people. Our LORD safeguards His own.
Verse 1-2 gives to us the eternal security of the saints and thus a quiet confidence in the heart.
(2) Deliverance in Trials (v3)
3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
Faith in the LORD is no immunity from the trials of life. Though the LORD protects and preserves His people, they can expect sufferings and afflictions too.
The persecution of the godly is described as “the rod of the wicked.”
The wicked often bear rule and wield the rod; and when they do so they will make sure it to fall heavily on the God’s people, so that the godly cry out by reason of their oppressors.
Egypt’s rod was exceeding heavy upon Israel, but the time came for it to be broken.
God has set a limit to the woes of His chosen: the rod may light on their portion, but it shall not rest on it. (Adapted from Spurgeon)
The strength of the believing that enables him to overcome his persecutors is not in himself but in Him who made him righteous.
1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
It is the faithfulness of God that we can rely upon in our trials that He will see us through it. He knows when we reach our limit. He promises a way out of every trial. This is the overcoming strength of the believer.
Afflictions and Persecutions – The Apostle Paul who was walking on the broad way persecuting Christians was brought to enter the narrow gate when Christ confronted him on the road to Damascus. He was thoroughly converted. It was a 180 degree turn around from him. And he had to suffer much to live the Christian life. This is a sobering truth that the Lord wants to tell us honestly – it is the narrow way. Paul cautioned Timothy his disciple, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Paul’s life was a life of true godliness that Jesus approves. Jesus warns us that there is persecution that will come to you in this narrow way. Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” – You are twice blessed, you are to rejoice and be glad that reward is awaiting you!
Although trials come our way, God’s grace will also abound to help us overcome and be victorious –This was the Apostle Paul’s testimony in 2 Timothy 3:10-11 “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.” It was a life of victory after victory with God. Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). God’s grace was with him to help him moment by moment. Truly, we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).
(3) Propensity for Good (v4)
4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
The child of God who trusts in the LORD is called righteous in verse 3 and here in verse 4, having been made righteous, he is called good. There is no righteousness or goodness in us except this righteousness or goodness is bestowed to us by God.
The psalmist prays that God blesses the righteous. They live out their faith by the good works that proceeded out of a good heart. A heart filled with God’s love. The blessing of giving and service is received by faith.
Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
The believer serves unconditionally and sacrificially as unto the LORD. Lest he becomes weary in well-doing, the psalmist upholds the righteous in prayer so that he may continue the good work. He prays that God will sustain him in the paths of righteousness, walking the narrow way.
Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Indeed, as you bless others, God blesses you as His instrument of blessing upon others.
Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
A Chinese proverb observes, “He suffers most who is most selfish.” The fruit of our selfishness is withholding dues. If we care only to please ourselves, we are building upon a shaky foundation. If we build for the love of God, we are building on a solid foundation.
We must examine also our motives for rendering help to others. Is it for a selfish desire of self-preservation that we render help to the helpless? God forbid!
Our good works must come from a heart of gratitude. We must be grateful for that ability and power that lay in our hands to distribute to the necessity of the saints. The power was first given to us by God. As good stewards of the manifold blessings received from the hand of God, we give. The Apostle Paul taught the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:35, “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Surely, this is an application of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:7.
There is an old saying, “The best portions of a good man’s life – His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.”
William Carey (1761-1854) is called the Father of Modern Missions for his contribution as a “peacemaker” to bring the gospel to India for 40 years. He was founder of Serampore College, the first Christian college in Asia. He was instrumental also in the translation of the first Bengali New Testament. This phrase “Expect great things from God. Attempt Great things for God” came from his most influential sermon from the text Isaiah 54:2-3, “Enlarge the place of thy tent…”
Dr George Smith testified, “The last days of William Carey were his best. His sun went down in all the splendour of a glowing faith and a burning self-sacrifice. Not in the poverty of Hackleton and Moulton, not in the hardships of Calcutta and the Sundarbans, not even in the fevers of the Dinajpur swamps…had the father of modern missions been so tried as in the years 1830 to 1833. Blow succeeded blow, but only that the fine gold of his trust, his humility, and his love might be seen to be the purer.”
He suffered most in his pioneering days but he never looked back! He was a true disciple of Jesus. He learned how to handle rejection to the gospel of peace he offered with such unconditional love to carry on persevering as Jesus had instructed His disciples in Matthew 10:13-14, “And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.”
(4) Abiding Peace (v5)
5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.
This last thought is a warning from turning crooked, abandoning the way of righteousness. There is punishment awaiting the wicked. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. The way of sin is treacherous, grave danger awaits all who meddle with sin.
Whereas for the Israel of God, God’s promise is that there shall be abiding peace.
The same tract given to two different persons can result in two totally different responses. Will you be discouraged when a person responds in anger to God’s words of peace? Jesus encouraged His disciples to press on with the work! Will you not?
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not” (1 John 3:1).
Jesus advices in Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
“Enter the Strait Gate” is God’s call to men throughout the ages to a life with God. The word “strait” means narrow, restrictive, expressing the difficulty to enter. What is the strait gate? It is the gate of salvation. It is the gate of conversion and regeneration. This entrance through the strait gate describes the beginning of this blessed life. And there is none more authoritative on earth and in heaven to represent God as His Son, who is God, the second Person of the Godhead, coming in human flesh, possessing the faculty of human speech, “opened his mouth, taught” the multitudes! What is the message in the heart of God that He wants to convey to mankind? It is to share the truth that there is no life lived that is more abundant than the life of true godliness that Jesus has just painted to the multitudes in Matthew 5-7. And here at the beginning of the conclusion of Jesus’ sermon in verse 13, He urged them to individually make a decision – “ENTER YE IN” if they have not entered.
It is God’s desire that all be saved. All who will hear this message are urged to hearken to the command to enter. Jesus is bidding His listeners by a command and by a determinate action to make the entrance – “ENTER YE IN”. And the answer to the question – “Where to enter?” is given emphatically by the preposition “at”. It is through this gate, the strait gate. There is a need of locating, finding, arriving and finally entering. The emphasis of the preposition “at” is upon the kind of place – enter ye in at the strait gate, not the wide gate, this place as opposed to another place, here at the STRAIT GATE and not there at the WIDE GATE. Do not enter without due consideration but make sure you locate the right gate – as it were, to ascertain it, it must fit this description – the strait gate. Be sure you are at the right gate before you enter. Jesus is making it crystal clear to his listeners so that there is no mistake as to the correct gate. He explains clearly why we are not to choose the wide gate in verse 13b and why we choose the strait gate in verse 14 by the two conjunctions “for” in verse 13b and because in verse 14.
The wide gate is all-encompassing, anything goes. It is a description of this lawless and godless world. And verse 13b tells us it is a package deal – the wrong gate will lead to the wrong way and the wrong destination with the wrong company. The wide gate leads to the broadway and the end of the journey is destruction. You will find many walking that way but it is the wrong way.
Holiness and Temptations – Life with God in the narrow way will cost us our sins. God is not only a God of love but also a holy and just God. He will deal with us after our sins because He is a just God. When we sin wilfully against Him, He will chastise us so that we can be brought back to love the beauty of holiness. This is a good price to pay that we may conform to the image of Christ. Our sins must be put to death. When we transgress God’s laws, we will be dealt with by the Lord for He knows and He sees our every sin – open or secret. The Bible says “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons” (Hebrews 12:6-8). He prunes and trims us so that we may bear forth more good fruit.
It leads to life – We do well to realize that this life of three score years and ten – 70 to 80 years is short compared to eternity, and we remember the regrets of the two men in Luke 12 and 16. Therefore, we are to take heed to God’s Word, be strong to make an entry and remain in the narrow way that leads us finally to heaven.
Jesus encourages all His disciples walking the narrow way, John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
CONCLUSION
May we take time to examine our lives if indeed we are trusting in the LORD and may the LORD help us to live this life of faith triumphantly as He has intended for us. Amen.