INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 124
This Psalm is the second "Songs of Ascent" that we believe was written by David. In David's first "Ascent Psalm" - Psalm 122 - he tells how the pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem after their journeys. Here, David is leading Israel again in GIVING THANKS for their "past help" and "expressing confidence in His continuing help."'
"Despite the attribution to David, several commentators connect this Psalm with the exiles returning from Babylon......It is best to keep the connection with David, considering it an earnest plea for Israel to thank God for deliverance PAST AND PRESENT." David Guzik
"If God had not been on our side" - the consequences are unthinkable." Pat and David Alexander
For without GOD'S HELP the Nation of Israel - God's people - and David's kingdom, would not have survived their enemy attacks. Over and over we see through the Israelite histoy, they needed GOD'S HELP - and GOD ALONE!
"God rescued the people lof Israel from their enemies. Although the odds were against them, GOD SAVED THEM. We should not seek strength in weapons or political power. REAL POWER COMES FROM GOD." Max Lucado
My life too has been one of "enemy attacks". Over and over in my life, like the Israelites, I have been struck by TEMPTATION AND TRIALS. But one thing I know for sure, God has always been "on my side". He has been my HELPER AND RESCUER. All I can do is sing Him PRAISE AND THANKS.
"PRAISE reflects our acknowledgement of all that GOD IS and all that GOD HAS DONE, IS DOING and has promised TO DO. It is only after we have PRAISED GOD for what HE IS and what HE DOES, can we bring our requests to Him." Michael Youssef
THE LORD IS AT OUR SIDE - Read Verses 1-5
"What if the Lord had not been on our side? Let all Israel repeat: "What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us." Psalm 124:1&2 (NLT)
David was determined that all God's people would remember His promise "THE LORD IS ON OUR SIDE". If it wasn't for the Lord living with them, their descendents would have been destroyed way back in Egypt and in the wilderness. They would not have made it to the Promised Land. In David's day, he had to fight against the Philistines, and again David knew that GOD WAS ON HIS SIDE.
"Wilderness survivors find refuge in GOD'S PRESENCE......Are you in the wilderness?....Your key to wilderness survival is to LIVE WITH JESUS and to FIND COMFORT WITH GOD'S PEOPLE."
Max Lucado
Way back in his life David knew this promise when he fought Goliath. David hears Goliath defying God - that's when he makes his decision. When Saul and his soldiers heard Goliath's threats, they were terrified, BUT NOT DAVID. When David showed up he was talking about the "LIVING GOD".
"David replied to the Philistines, "You come to me with swords, spears and javelin, but I come to you kin the NAME OF THE LORD OF HEAVEN'S ARMIES - the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head.....and the whole world will know that THERE IS A GOD IN ISRAEL! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues His people, but not with a sword or spear. THIS IS THE LORD'S BATTLE and He will give you to us." 1 Samuel 17:45&47 (NLT)
Now, as a king, still fighting against his enemies, the Philistines, David still knew that God was on His side. We too have "giants" and "enemies" - trials we have to face. But we don't need to FACE THEM ALONE. THE LORD IS ON OUR SIDE! We will win the "Lord's battles", for we know we have our "living God" with us.
"I know the Lord is ALWAYS WITH ME. I will not be shaken, for HE IS RIGHT BESIDE ME."
Psalm 16:8 (NLT)
David poetically described the potential ruim of the Israelites. Their danger was like "being swallowed alive" by a giant beast or like being "drowned when waters overwhelm them".
"They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us. Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed their very lives." Psalm 124:3-5 (NLT)
My husband Mark and I have been reading the Book of Jeremiah. Today he made a comment: "This is a real depressiomg passage." And it was, because God's anger and fury with His people was indeed not something to celebrate at the time - they had disobeyed God and they were to be overtaken by the Babylonians. Later though, we will read God's promise of SALVATION and "HOPE". These are the verses I always remember, and I know my mother had a plaque with these words in her home, for those bad days when she was feeling down and depressed.
"For I know the PLANS I have for you, says the Lord. They are PLANS FOR GOOD, not for disaster, to GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND A HOPE. In those days, WHEN YOU PRAY, I WILL LISTEN." Jeremiah 29:11&12 (NLT)
ENDING OUR PRAYERS WITH PRAISE - Read Verses 6-8
"PRAISE THE LORD who did not let their teeth tear us apart! Who escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap. The trap is broken and WE ARE FREE! OUR HELP IS FROM THE LORD, who made Heaven and earth." Psalm 124:6-8 (NLT)
Here again, David ENDS HIS PRAYER WITH PRAISE. As in other Psalms of David, he likes to end with "blessing the Lord." and thanking Him for all He has done. This is a "confident expression" of what we believe God will do in the future.
When we look back into our lives, we may not always feel wonderful. In fact, there are days we may even have "fits of depression"; but when we TRUST IN THE LORD and know that He is on our side, we can remember those times of "divine intervention".
"Blessed are they that TRUST IN THE LORD and have made the Lord THEIR HOPE AND CONFIDENCE." Psalm 17:7 (NLT)
"When we close our prayers WITH PRAISE, we are asking the Lord to answer our petitions, IN HIS TIMING, according to HIS METHODS and in ways that perfectly FIT HIS WILL. Praise lead's us into GOD'S INTIMATE PRESENCE, and once we were there with us, we discover His will for us. PRAISE leads us to the place where we receive POWER FROM GOD." Michael Youssef
"When we worship the Creator, let us increase our TRUST in our comforter. Did He create all that we see and cannot He not preserve us from evils which we cannot see?" Charles Spurgeon
CONCLUSION - Read Psalm 124
"In the year 1582, this Psalm was sung on a remarkable occasion in Edinburgh. An imprisoned minister, John Durie, had been set free and was met and welcomed on entering the town by 200 of his friends. The number increased until he found himself in the midst of a company of 2000, who began to sing as they moved up the High Street, "Now Israel may say, "If the Lord had not been on our side"....They sang in 4 parts, with deep solemnity, all joining in a well known tune and Psalm. They were much moved themselves, and so were all who heard; and one of the chief persecutors is said to have been more alarmed at this sight and song than anything he had seen in Scotland."
Horatious Bonar - cited by Charles Spurgeon.
"Let Israel Now Say in Thankfulness", Brother Down (Artist), 2013, Bultitude Records (You Tube)
"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
"NCV Devotional Bible - Experiencing the Heart of Jesus", 2003, Thomas Nelson
ALEXANDER, Pat & David, "The Lion Handbook of the Bible," 2009, Lion Hudson Publishers
GUZIK, David, "Psalm 124 - Thanking God for the Help Only He Can Bring", 2020, www.enduringword.com
LUCADO, Max, "Facing Your Giants", 2006, Thomas Nelson
SPURGEON, Charles, "The Treasury of David - Commentary on Psalms", 1885/2021, Christianity.com
YOUSSEF, Michael, "Empowered By Praise", 2021, Charisma House, You Version
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