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JUNE 25

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Read | Psalm 125

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Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,

    which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

    so the Lord surrounds his people

    both now and forevermore.

The scepter of the wicked will not remain

    over the land allotted to the righteous,

for then the righteous might use

    their hands to do evil.

Lord, do good to those who are good,

    to those who are upright in heart.

But those who turn to crooked ways

    the Lord will banish with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel.

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Respond | Gabrielle Dearduff

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In my spare time, I love hiking. I love the winding trails, the warmth of the sun, the sweet breeze, and the flourishing plants. It gives me the space to breathe and be at peace. Something about it makes me feel grounded. Psalm 125 depicts Mount Zion—a reliable, rock-solid mountain—surrounding God’s people. It’s assuring and protective; it’s grounding. The psalmist declares that the wicked will not prevail over the righteous. The righteous have God on their side forevermore. Because of this, they can live in an abundance of peace. It’s like the chorus in the song “P E A C E” by Hillsong Young & Free: “There’s a peace far beyond all understanding / May it ever set my heart at ease / What anxiety fails to remember / is peace is a promise you keep / Peace is a promise you keep.”

 

God, you surround us. You envelop us in your peace. Remind us of your ever-steady presence. You are God-with-us. We will be okay. Peace is a promise you keep. Amen.

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