Dear Pilgrim, do you tremble at the shaking?

Dear Pilgrim, do you tremble at the shaking? The shaking you currently see, the shaking that will come? Come, as we walk this dusty pilgrim road together, let us contemplate the mountains.

Ancient, from old.  How they rise from the plains, imperious, towering, majestic. Silent, brooding, not speaking of all they have seen over the years. Solid and unyielding, their presence inspires awe as we make our way along this path. They remind us of our fleeting presence here on earth, of our insignificance, our smallness. They point us to the greatness of Him – for He created them by the power of His Word. The mountain peaks belong to Him, all of them. They depend on Him for their existence – for He sustains all things by His powerful Word – all things. They eagerly drink from His hand – for it is He who waters them from His upper chambers. They even sing for joy before Him as He comes to judge the earth.

But take note, Pilgrim. As He looks at the earth, just looks at it, it trembles, and as He reaches out His hand and touches the mountains – they smoke before Him. As He comes in judgment, can it be? The mountains – look, Pilgrim! They are melting like wax before Him! The earth – it gives way, and the mountains – they are falling into the heart of the sea! The mountains are quaking – quaking in fear, Pilgrim – quaking, as the waters of the sea roar and foam and surge. Oh, Pilgrim! Even the mountains are as nothing before Him, His might, His justice, His holiness! It is no wonder, Pilgrim, that as He comes in judgment, the wicked will cry out to the mountains and the rocks “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

But God has a mountain of His own. Just as He is making distinctions amongst the people, He is making distinctions amongst the mountains. And on this particular mountain, His holy mountain, He has installed His King! He will establish this mountain as the highest of the mountains, and it will be exalted above the hills. 

It is no wonder that Mount Bashan, that majestic, rugged mountain, is gazing in envy at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the Lord Himself will dwell forever.  For the Lord loves this mountain more than all the other dwellings of Jacob. It is on this mountain that the Lord bestows His blessing and life forevermore. It is on this mountain that there will be deliverance. 

Yet this mountain is called an outcast. No one cares for her. Hear the word of the Lord, you mountains, you people! This is the mountain over which the Lord burns with jealousy, and He will return and dwell in her.

Mount Zion.

But who may ascend this mountain of the Lord? Oh Pilgrim, we have confidence that we can, for we are trusting in His King, and He has cleansed our hands and He has purified our hearts! And as we continue to trust in Him, Pilgrim, He makes us like Mount Zion which cannot be shaken but endures forever! Other mountains will be shaken and fall – but Mount Zion will remain! We, too, like Mount Zion, may walk this pilgrim path as outcasts. Those with no understanding will envy that His Spirit dwells in us, that as King He reigns over us - yet rejoice, Pilgrim! Rejoice, for how great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! And Pilgrim, oh, even your name points to this! For those whose hearts are set on pilgrimage, whose strength is in Him, are blessed – they will go from strength to strength till each appears before Him in Zion!

Pilgrim, fear not at the shaking. It is necessary, so that what cannot be shaken may remain. And so the redeemed of the Lord shall walk in Zion, those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing, everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away!

Indeed, of Zion it will be said,

    “This one and that one were born in her,

    and the Most High himself will establish her.”

The Lord will write in the register of the peoples:

    “This one was born in Zion.”

(Psalm 87:5-6)