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Sunday Worship 17 July 2022 : “The Mountain of God”

Text: Psalm 68:15-16
17 July 2022

INTRODUCTION

1. Straightforward language employed:

a) The Presence of God
b) The Provision of God
c) These are significant expressions of:
i) The Reality of God
ii) The Relationship of God with His people

2. Powerful Figurative language employed:

a) “The Mountain of God”
b) “The Chariots of God”
c) Its significance must be discovered
15 “A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan;
A mountain of many peaks is the mountain of Bashan.
16 Why do you fume with envy, you mountains of many peaks?
This is the mountain which God desires to dwell in;
Yes, the LORD will dwell in it forever.”
Psalm 68:15-16

3. The Mountain of Bashan

a) This is a reference to a mountain range
b) The most famous was Mount Hermon with its snowy peaks
c) Geographically, this is Transjordan
d) These mountains were held in awe by many who lived in these regions
e) Bashan is described as
“A mountain of many peaks”   Psalm 68:15

2. The Mountain of God

a) The first reference is the actual Mountains of Bashan
i) God is the Creator
ii) The magnificence of the Mountains only highlight the greatness of God
b) The second reference is not the Mountain of Bashan
i) It is a reference to Mount Zion
ii) Mount Zion is also on a hill
iii) But it cannot be compared to the Mountains of Bashan in its magnificence
c) The significance of Mount Zion is because God chose to dwell on this humble hill

EXULTING IN MOUNT ZION

1 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.

6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Psalm 46:1-7

a) Rejoicing in Mount Zion is not because of its physical beauty
b) But because of God’s relationship with it
i) God is the Refuge and Strength
ii) He is a present help in time of trouble
iii) God is in the midst of the people
c) It is the city of God
d) This is where God chose to place His Tabernacle/ Temple
12 “Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice.
13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people,
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.
16 For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.”
2 Chronicles 7:12-16
i) I have chosen and sanctified this house
ii) That My name may be there forever
iii) And My ears and My heart will be there perpetually

THE FUMING OF THE MOUNTAINS OF BASHAN

1. The famous mountains of Bashan were not chosen as “the mountain of God”

2. They are depicted as full of envy because a small hill was chosen by the LORD instead

3. God’s desire was to dwell in His holy mountain of Zion

“This is the mountain which God desires to dwell in;
Yes, the LORD will dwell in it forever.”    Psalm 68:16b

CONCLUSION

1. The Mountains represent:

a) Might
b) Majesty

2. The Choice of God is of even greater significance:

a) It represents His love
b) His commitment
c) His dedication
d) His relationship

3. Our Challenge

a) To treasure God’s relationship with us in the Lord Jesus Christ
b) Great and magnificent are the blessings upon His chosen people