You’re Surrounded!

Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever.

Psalm 125:2

“You’re surrounded!” This phrase brings back memories of my childhood. On Saturday afternoons, I’d watch cop-and-robber movies on our black-and-white Motorola television. Inevitably, at some point the criminals would be holed up in some battered-down building. The cops would yell: “Come out with your hands up! You’re surrounded!” Being surrounded wasn’t a good thing for bad guys.

Psalm 125 uses the image of being surrounded in an opposite sense. The psalmist envisions Jerusalem circled with mountains, seeing in that image a picture of God’s presence and protection: “Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever” (125:2). In this case, the announced “You’re surrounded!” is good news. It means: “You are surrounded by God. He will protect you. He will always be with you. You are safe because you are surrounded.”

I know how it feels to be surrounded by mountains. One of my favorite places in the world lies in the Sierra Nevada range of California. Little Lakes Valley is ringed with soaring, snow-capped peaks. In this valley, one feels enveloped in the strength and beauty of the mountains, a moving reminder of God’s own strength and beauty. (For more about Little Lakes Valley and a picture, check my blog today).

Do you need to feel surrounded by God today? Do you need reassurance of his presence and strength? Do you need to know that God will protect you, that your life is in his mighty, tender hands? Remember, even as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, including you.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: When have you felt surrounded by God’s loving presence? What difference might it make in your life if you were to live with the assurance of God’s consistent protection? What helps you to feel “surrounded” by God?

PRAYER: O Lord, thank you for the promise of Psalm 125, and for the image of being surrounded by you even as Jerusalem is surrounded by mountains. What a reassuring and comforting picture!

Help me, Lord, to live each day with confidence in you. May I know that you are surrounding me, even when circumstances make me feel vulnerable and unsafe. Help me to trust in your presence and protection.

I think of people in my life who need to know that you are surrounding them today. So I bring before you...[fill in your own names]. May they feel secure in your presence.

I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.