Surrounded By The Lord

-July 21, 2023-

Good morning, happy Friday,

“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.”

(Psalm 125:2).

I have had a very challenging week. I just received an encouraging card from Janie in our church that really touched my heart. She has a wonderful ministry of sending out get well cards. She always sends them prayerfully, thoughtfully, and lovingly. This one was so appropriate to my situation. It is a Peanuts card with Charlie Brown sitting on his recliner with Snoopy beside him, and Woodstock on the arm rest.

On the front of the card it says, “Wouldn’t it be nice if life were like a DVD… Then inside it continues, “And you could fast-forward through the yucky times. Hang in there and get well soon.” She wrote, We are all praying for your strength, comfort, and peace as you go through all the tests. May you feel the Lord’s presence with you as He brings you through with good results. Your family at SRVBC (San Ramon Valley Bible Church). How appropriate was that! I did go through yucky times, but the Lord was with me, and brought me through on His wings of grace, mercy, and comfort.

Janie wrote two Scripture verses: Psalm 125:2 and John 10:29-30. The former is our text for the day. Jerusalem is God’s holy city, set on a hill, and surrounded by mountains. This reminded the anonymous psalmist to remember how God Himself surrounds His people. He surrounds us, not for an hour or a day, or a month, or for a year but for our lifetime on earth and in heaven forever. He surrounds us on every side, up and down, right or left.

The word surround is an interesting and appropriate choice of words. It is defined as, “A thing that forms a border or edging around an object; to be all around a person or thing.” We often think of being surrounded with no way out, no hope of escape. But when God surrounds us it is for our good, protection, and preservation. Nothing and no one can get through unless He allows it. Aren’t you glad that the Lord surrounds you today and every day? In sci-fi movies space ships use force fields to protect the crew, passengers, and cargo from danger. The Lord is our impenetrable force field.

May the Lord remind us that He is with us, surrounding us daily. Have blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Looking to Jesus who surrounds us by His everlasting arms and under His wings,

Dean