Lord’s Day, Vol. 11 No. 41

REWARDS OF FAITH 

– PSALM 125

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 live on that basis! As these pilgrims journey to Jerusalem, they recalled the blessings of living by faith and resolved to live by faith. 

There are 4 blessings that we can glean from this psalm that describes the rewards of faith. 

(1) Quiet Confidence (v1-2) 

(2) Deliverance in Trials (v3) 

(3) Propensity for Good (v4) 

(4) Abiding Peace (v5) 

(1) Quiet Confidence 

1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. 

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 an 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 journeyed, they could see the towering mountains surrounding Jerusalem, the city of God. Jerusalem 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 the lower part of the city, dividing it into two unequal parts. [Zondervan Bible Encyclopedia] 

The mountains surrounding Jerusalem are 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 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 suffering and afflictions too. 

The persecution of the godly is described as “the rod of the wicked.”

The graceless often bear rule and wield the rod, and when they do so they will make sure it falls heavily on God’s people so that the godly cry out because 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. 

(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 proceed out of a good heart. A heart filled with God’s love. The blessing of giving and service is received by faith. 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. 

(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 to turn 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. 

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.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee