Psalm 125 A Song of Ascents. 1 They that trust in Lord Are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth for ever. 2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, So Lord is round about his people From this time forth and for evermore. 3 For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; That the righteous put not forth their hands unto iniquity. 4 Do good, O Lord, unto those that are good, And to them that are upright in their hearts. 5 But as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, Lord will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel.
In Psalm 125, God, through the psalmist, notifies His people (which includes us, the Christians) that He will not let the godless authorities force them to do things that God calls iniquity. He says that we can rely on his protection like Jerusalem on the surrounding mountains (v.2).
Concerning that - most of the today's world countries are not governed by people who are truly righteous, we are under God's protection, and we should be grateful for that. The preassures of the godless world to iniquity and sin, are so strong, that many Christians would most likely succumb to it not having God's protection. (On the other hand, this scripture doesn't say that "the godless won't reign over God's children", which is a common misinterpretation of this Psalm).
The current situation in the world is still relatively "mellow". Sin has become almost a requirement of the today's culture, nevertheless the governments (at least in the western countries) do not force its citizens to actively engage in specific sins. This wil take place after coming of the Antichrist.
However, there's a second side to the story - the promise includes only those people, who are "upright in their hearts". (v.4) They, who "turn aside unto their crooked ways", cannot rely on God's protection described in verses 2-4. In other words, this God's protection is conditioned by the way the person lives.
Certainly there are also people who have gotten into a position of nearly loosing God's protection without realizing it - or they think that this doesn't apply on them; they are sure they are following God, even though they aren't. And despite their confidence in themselves, God's warning, mentioned in the fifth verse of this Psalm, is for them also: "But as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, Lord will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. ..." This is about those people, who are tangled up in the toils of herecy and self-delusion.
If they back-slide "only" because of their carnality and sin, the way back isn't that complicated. The person just accepts what God's Word says, admits his stumble, repents and turnes back. Much more complicated it is for people who "work" hard and long on their redemption. This is typical for hypocrites, people who seek recognition, but do things that they shouldn't. They serve others and seek ministry only to become popular and earn power. That is also why they try to hide their faults and sins. Out of fear of loosing their position and power, they hide their sins and faults for a long time and they become internally deformed and deluded. God's Word calls these people fools. They have believed their own delusions more than God's Word, so usually the return is impossible.
Many Christians and even whole churches are finding out that people, who ministered and were considered anointed servants, have fallen into such a condition. They start fearing that they will fall into the same temptation (since many great people did). But he who walks and lives in the fear of the Lord and whose ministry is sincere and not self-centered, doesn't have to fear that.
Let us then live in the fear of the Lord, without the terror of falling away, so we can live freely and preach the gospel boldly with God's protection over us.
