(Psalm 48:12-14 ESV) “12 Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, 13 consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation 14 that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.”
Sometimes, when we are going through a season of difficulty, it is hard to get an accurate assessment of damage. Our feelings can cause us to feel a sense of loss or injury that may not actually exist. At others times, we have what doctors call phantom pain; felt even in the absence of real sensation.
When I was a young man, I lost some teeth. The doctor told me to expect to have pain for several weeks even though the teeth were no longer present in my mouth. He called it sympathy pain. The bottom line is I was feeling pain that only existed in my mind.
In Psalm 48, the writer encourages the people of Jerusalem to reset their faith by purposefully looking at the structures of the city which had survived attacks. He suggests four activities that would serve to strengthen their faith.
(1) Walk about Zion – This is a call on all persons to go round the city; to take a survey of it; to see how beautiful and how strong it was – how it had escaped all danger, and was uninjured by the attempt to destroy it – how capable it was of resisting an attack. The word “walk” here means simply to go around or surround. The other word used has a more direct reference to a solemn procession.
(2) And go round about her – The word used here means, “to fasten together, to join together with others in a solemn procession moving round the city, taking a deliberate and thorough survey.” In other words, assess the situation factually rather than by feelings.
(3) Tell the towers thereof – That is, determine the number of the towers. See how numerous they are; how firm they remain; what a defense and protection they constitute. Cities, surrounded by walls, had “towers” or elevated portions as posts of observation, or as places from which missiles might be discharged against those who might attempt to scale the walls.
(4) Spread the good news. “Tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.”
The Psalmist was sure that once a thorough investigation of the facts was complete, they would break forth in exuberant praise with confidence in God’s future interaction and protection of His people.
Today, Let me encourage you to walk around your blessings. Name them. Rejoice in them. Share them with others so that, they too, may be encouraged by God’s faithfulness.
PRAYER: Father, thank you for your faithfulness. After reflecting on my current state I’m convinced that your hand has saved me and will direct my paths going forward. Amen.
Thinking Out Loud 