Immovable Faith: Anchored by God’s Faithfulness
Sermon by Rev Catherine Chan
Text: Psalm 125:1–2
28 Dec English Service
As we come to the close of 2025, Rev Catherine Chan invites us to reflect on what truly holds us steady in uncertain times. She opens with a vivid image of a palm tree battered by a violent storm — bending under relentless winds yet refusing to break. When the storm passed, the tree slowly stood upright again. The question this image raises is deeply personal: what keeps us standing when everything around us is shaken?
The answer is found in Psalm 125:1–2, a Song of Ascent sung by pilgrims on their journey to Jerusalem. These were songs sung not after the storm, but during the climb, amid uncertainty and pressure. From this psalm, Rev Catherine highlights three powerful truths about God’s faithfulness.
1. God’s faithfulness anchored us when our foundations were tested
The psalm begins not with circumstances, but with trust. To trust the Lord means to lean our full weight on Him — not partially, not cautiously, but completely. This kind of trust is not mere intellectual belief; it is lived dependence. As pressures intensified throughout the year, they revealed where our lives were truly anchored. Some grew deeper in prayer and surrender, while others discovered that routine had replaced relationship. Yet this exposure was not punishment — it was mercy. God was deepening our roots so we could remain immovable, like Mount Zion, not because of our strength, but because God dwells in our midst.
2. God’s faithfulness surrounded us even when we were unaware of it
“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people.” This is not poetic exaggeration, but a picture of constant, intentional protection. God encamps around His people — not occasionally, not emotionally, but covenantally. Even when prayers felt dry, worship felt weak, or faith waned, God never stopped watching. What felt like restriction or limitation was often divine protection. Narrow paths, silent seasons, and closed doors were not meant to harm us, but to guard our souls and shape our character.
3. God’s faithfulness outlasts every season of our lives
The psalm ends with a promise: “from this time forth and forevermore.” God’s faithfulness begins now and has no expiry date. It does not rise or fall with circumstances, emotions, economies, or performance. As one year ends and another begins, God remains the same — yesterday, today, and forever. Some may look back and see growth and deeper hunger for God; others may recognise a longing for more than surface-level faith. That quiet unrest is not failure, but the Holy Spirit’s invitation into deeper intimacy.
Rev Catherine concludes by calling the church to respond to God’s faithfulness in three ways:
Gratitude — letting thanksgiving become our offering
Surrender — returning to childlike dependence on God
Hunger — refusing to settle for yesterday’s encounters
Life may shake us, but we are not consumed. God surrounds His people, anchors their faith, and remains faithful through every season. As Scripture declares:
“Great is Your faithfulness.”
