# 44 2021 Dev. Psalm 124:1. On the Lord’s side! Read all of Psalm 124 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Psalm 124:1 “If the Lord had not been on our side…”
Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascent.” Songs of ascent were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Pentecost, Passover and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.
Psalm 124 is a liturgical praise song of ascents imagining what could have happened and it begins with a rhetorical question: “If the Lord had not been on our side…” This is read in the temple by a priest, vs.1-5 and answered by the congregation, vs. 6-8.
Vs. 1,2 The question is repeated for emphasis, highlighting the importance of the main theme; God’s care in every situation. The pilgrims travelled long distances, three times a year, through lawless areas, through rough terrain and unpredictable weather.
V. 3 “They would have swallowed us alive…” indicating a powerful enemy able to destroy them completely.
Vs.4,5 “the flood would have engulfed us,” Obviously a weather related problem, powerful storms causing flooding, “the raging waters would have swept us away.” Throughout the pilgrimage, there are powerful attacks by enemies and by nature. These attacks come to us as well on our pilgrimage through life. Constant pressure by Satan using friends, using co-workers, and neighbors, sometimes even family members. Attacks are subtle, wrapped in what seems right and good, even loving, but attacks non the less. The answers come in verses 6-8.
Vs. 6-8 “Praise be to the Lord,” that is what we begin with, we can escape by God’s grace, the trap is neutralized, the snare is faulty by God’s grace. The Psalmist repeats what he says in Ps.121: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth.” The Psalmist emphasizes: “Had not the Lord been on our side…” As followers of Jesus the Lord is on our side, yet, we suffer Satan’s attacks and we suffer through severe weather events. Jesus warned us: In the world there will be tribulation, but “I have overcome the world”. Jesus is on our side, but the question for us today is: are you on the side of Jesus? I pray that you will be and that you are. Amen!
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