“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 124:1-8 NIV)
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 124:1-8 NIV)
In this age of
economic woes and social ills it is so easy to fuss and complain and wimp out
over the difficulties confronting us. Problems arise, tragedy strikes, the
enemy opposes and we realize the realities of human frailties.
economic woes and social ills it is so easy to fuss and complain and wimp out
over the difficulties confronting us. Problems arise, tragedy strikes, the
enemy opposes and we realize the realities of human frailties.
Our circumstances
turn sour or go awry and rather quickly we get overwhelmed . . . the race
becomes difficult. What we thought was a safe zone around us becomes an
impassable jungle of hindrances and obstacles.
turn sour or go awry and rather quickly we get overwhelmed . . . the race
becomes difficult. What we thought was a safe zone around us becomes an
impassable jungle of hindrances and obstacles.
Before we throw in
the towel of defeat, however, we should consider the challenge of the Lord
through his prophet Jeremiah. “If you have raced with men on foot and they
have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe
country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? (Jeremiah 12:5
NIV)
the towel of defeat, however, we should consider the challenge of the Lord
through his prophet Jeremiah. “If you have raced with men on foot and they
have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe
country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? (Jeremiah 12:5
NIV)
Despite the
struggles that confront us, we have this confidence: we are not alone. We have
someone on our side that is greater than our struggles. In fact, our ally is in
control of the circumstances. And we clearly understand that if God had not
been our ally, then we would be defeated and destroyed.
struggles that confront us, we have this confidence: we are not alone. We have
someone on our side that is greater than our struggles. In fact, our ally is in
control of the circumstances. And we clearly understand that if God had not
been our ally, then we would be defeated and destroyed.
But God is on our
side! God is our ally! We bless the Lord who has not allowed us to be chewed to
pieces. Great is our God who provides an escape from the traps of the enemy.
Glory to our Savior who destroys both the trap and the trapper! His salvation is
our escape!
side! God is our ally! We bless the Lord who has not allowed us to be chewed to
pieces. Great is our God who provides an escape from the traps of the enemy.
Glory to our Savior who destroys both the trap and the trapper! His salvation is
our escape!
His name is the help
and power we trust. He is the Almighty God who created the universe and all
that is therein. Hallelujah! Glory to his holy name! I am glad that he chose me
to be on his side.
and power we trust. He is the Almighty God who created the universe and all
that is therein. Hallelujah! Glory to his holy name! I am glad that he chose me
to be on his side.
Dear Father, thank
you for being on our side in all of life. Remind me daily that you are on my
side. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for being on our side in all of life. Remind me daily that you are on my
side. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Remember today that
God is your ally,
God is your ally,