Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The author, Eugene Peterson calls Psalm 124 "a song of hazard--and of help." It begins by stating that if the Lord had not been on the side of Israel, and again emphasized it by repeating that statement that they would be have destroyed. The psalmist tells us that Israel had been attacked by men desiring to swallow them whole, by flood waters that came against them as someone ripping them apart, by being ensnared by the enemy but through it all, help had come from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. We can identify with Israel as we have traveled and continue on our pilgrimage. There are times that we are attacked and feel as if the enemy will destroy us. It is at these times we need to realize that God is on OUR side. Think of the knight in shining armor, striding up on a white stallion, reaching down to rescue you -- you know every lady has envisioned this--well ladies, He exists and reaches down to you in love. He is there for you, protecting you from the enemy which desires to devour you. With Him at your side you know you are SAFE. Again as the psalmist said, if the Lord is not on my side, I will perish but He has promised to be on my side! Praise be to the Lord. Amen and Amen!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
We say it, as christians, all the time: God has a purpose in all our circumstances and situations. We even quote what Joseph said to his brothers in Genesis - you meant it for evil but God meant it for good. But do we really live out the ideology we speak of? This is called: where the rubber meets the road. Beth speaks about how we judge God being on our side or against us by our circumstances. Humanly, this thought process is very difficult to change or stop. We have to stop it though because it is destructive and keeps us from a life of victory and joy. Christ suffered, does that mean God was against him? We must go back to the last psalm and remember to keep our eyes and focus on God, on Who He is, and on what He has for our future - eternal life! Is that someone that is against us or even as Beth said just not really for us? Actions speak louder than words, your words may add up with truth but do your actions? Do you worry, are you anxious, fearful, feel defeated, discouraged? Hmmmm, It is human but do we recognize it and do something about it. The 124th Psalm begins with (as Beth pointed out) a song leader encouraging the people of Israel to say it, say it louder. Repeat it over and over: God is on our side! GOD IS ON OUR SIDE!!! I believe this was put there to show us how to turn our thoughts back to the truth when we feel defeated or forgotten or like no one, even God is on our side. He IS on our side, and so, who could come against us and not suffer complete and utter defeat?!
ReplyDeleteAs Jesus said in John 13:7, You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later on. That means we need to put our faith in God, and not in our human understanding of what seems to be disasterous circumstances.
The Last verse of Psalm 124 says: Our help is IN the NAME of the LORD... the Name, just His Name is strong and powerful enough to help us. With the Lord God (Who's Name is our help) on our side what more can we ask for?
Praise God the Maker of the heaven and earth for His perfect Help. May He be glorified by our constant singing that The Lord is on our side!
Oh and Annette, He delights over us, Sings over us, Prays over us, and this lesson brings up, we are the apple of His eye!
ReplyDeleteMy prayer is: God guide me to live as the apple of Your eye.