Had It Not Been Yahweh

November 18

Ezekiel 43-44

Psalm 124

Proverbs 27:21-22

1 Peter 1:1-12

Had It Not Been Yahweh

“If the Lord had not been on our side—let Israel say—if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away.  Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth.  We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.  Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.”  Psalm 124 NIV

This psalm is a powerful expression of gratitude and a reminder of God’s faithfulness to His people.  It is a recognition that only God is capable of protecting His people from the evil and problems of this world.  David was confessing Israel’s complete dependence on God for deliverance from their enemies.  Instead of relying on their own military might and power, David knew that God was the only One who could protect them when their enemies advanced against them.  He used vivid imagery to help Israel understand the danger they faced and pointed to God as their deliverer.  “The flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away,” describes a tsunami or a violent hurricane.  I have been at the beach when a thunderstorm was approaching and seen waves crashing against the shore.  It was pretty scary, but what David envisioned was something much more violent.  A wall of water can destroy anything in its path.   Not only does the water itself cause devastation but the debris that it sweeps up wreaks havoc.  David recognized that if God had not stepped in on Israel’s behalf, they would have been completely swept away, annihilated. 

As believers we have that same assurance of protection from our heavenly Father.  The difficulties we face can be overwhelming and intimidating.  We can feel like we are being swept away and fear being destroyed not only by enemies but by all of the problems we face on a daily basis.  Life can be hard.  There are seasons when everything hits us at once and we can’t seem to keep our head above the water.  In those times, it is important to remember that our God is on our side.  “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?  The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” Psalm 118:6-8 ESV   “What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who indeed did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32 LSB   “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13 LSB     If the Lord is not on our side” we will surely fall, but He is on our side so we can persevere and be victorious in any situation we face.  The Maker of Heaven and Earth is our help.  We can trust Him because He is faithful!