Psalm 124
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side – let Israel now say -
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone the raging waters.Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken, and we have escaped.Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
It is amazing to me that in moments of internal tension, in moments when life is frustrating – sometimes for no apparent reason at all – a psalm like this rocks my world. This is one of those psalms that alters perspective. I think often I get caught up in wondering why God didn’t do certain things, or looking at the areas in my life in which I feel I need God to act, or would like him to act. Then, in a blink of an eye, the psalmist (in this case King David), alters my perspective, reminding me that “if it had not been the LORD who was on [my] side,” that I’d be screwed.
True, life may not look like I would have planned it. True, there are moments (sometimes big moments) of frustration where I get concerned over the apparent lack of God’s presence in my life. Then I remember who I am. And who I am is nothing. Who I am is wretched. Who I am is weak, a sinner, broken from the depths of my being. Who I am is worthless. Then, when I remember who I am in myself, and look at where I have been brought in life, how can I declare anything other than, “Our help is in the lame of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”
It is because of the grace of God that I am what I am, who I am, in the place that I am. It is incredible, I have been partnered with the most amazing woman, and my job is to care for the youth in my community, to mentor them, to advocate for them, and to lead them toward Jesus, their Savior, Lover, and Friend. I don’t deserve that. I don’t deserve anything close to that. I know who I am and what I deserve. When I look at the incredible favor that God has blessed me with, I am overwhelmed.
Truly God is on my side. Blessed be the LORD.
Because if God was not on my side, my life would not be what it is.
And when I sit in recognition that God, the Master of the Universe, is on my side, that God, the Creator of all, is for me, then I walk boldly forward – not in understanding, not without tension, but in the joy of the knowledge that I am not, nor will I ever be alone.
No matter what I face, God is on my side. I know this because it’s been true in my past. That’s what David is saying in this psalm. He recognizes that God has been on his side from the beginning, because there is no other explanation for how life has turned out.
Praise be to you, O God, Maker of the Universe.
Glory be to your name. I give you honor and worship.
For you rescued me from my wretchedness,
you spoke meaning into my emptiness,
you clothed my nakedness,
and gave purpose to my steps.
For you gave vision to my eyes and joy to my heart.
I will praise you forever, O my God.
For you are worthy of all praise.
Thank you.