God's Promise

At youth last week, we began a three or four- week study of Psalm 125. We focused on verse one which says:"Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever."(NIV)
Bro. Josh said that he could look at that verse and say, " Ok that's cool, but whats the big deal? I'm like Mount Zion. Wooo hooooo!" because he didn't know anything about Mount Zion, as many people don't. But in order to fully understand this verse we looked at different examples of what Mount Zion was and what it meant to God. We also looked at how we are like Mount Zion. Here are some of my notes along with my additions:
(1.) Isaiah 18:7 says, "... the gifts will be brought to Mount Zion, the place of the Name of the Lord Almighty." This means that Mount Zion describes God. As Christians, we should "describe" God. People should be able to look at us and see God. We should be examples or descriptions of God. That is one way we are like Mount Zion.

(2.) Mount Zion is a dwelling place of God. Psalm 74 :2 says, "Remember the people you purchased of old, the tribe of your inheritance, whom you redeemed-Mount Zion where you dwelt." We are like Mount Zion because we should be a dwelling place for God. Not only that, we should be a clean, pure dwelling place for God. God is always there. If we will remember that, it would change the way we act and live sometimes. Also, when we trust in God, He dwells with and in us.

(3.) God loves Mount Zion. "But He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved."( Psalm 78:68) We, like Mount Zion, are loved by God. We have all heard the phrase "Jesus loves You." a million times, ever since we were little kids singing the song. But have we really thought about it? We sin daily, even hourly, but Jesus still loves us. He sees all we do and all we'll ever do, yet He loves us unconditionally! We do not and never will deserve His infinite love! He loves us enough to willingly die on a cross just for our salvation from sin. If you were the only person on the earth, He would've died just for you. If I were the only person on earth, He would have died just for me! All because He loves us that much. My grandparents have have a plaque that says, "I asked Jesus,' How much do you love me?'
'This much,' He answered and He stretched out His arms and died. "
Isn't that an awesome plaque?! Bro. Josh talked about how he loves his wife and kids so much that he would die for them, but I'm guessing that he wouldn't die for someone he had never met- epecially if it was taking the place of their punishment. (death) However, Jesus did that. He was perfect and had never sinnned, but He chose
to die for us! He took our place. Each and every one of us would be doomed to permanent torture in Hell if He wouldn' t have died. But He loved us enough to give us a way to live with Him in paradise instead of torment!

to be continued