“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel now say– Psalm 124:1
Throughout history there have been various wars in which a larger nation stepped in and helped out a smaller nation win the war. Without that help, the smaller nation would have been overrun and destroyed. In the same way, people have had times when someone greater stepped in and helped out to keep a person from being crushed under the weight and difficulties of some life situation. Most people recognize that without that help, they would not have made it as they did.
David is encouraging the people to say that if it was not for God being on their side, what would have occurred.
Every person faces individual battles on a regular basis. It is just like the wars between nations, often something greater than the individual is trying to destroy the person in some way or another.
Sometimes during those battles, something suddenly changes in one’s favor. When something out of the normal gives a person unexpected favor, the world often calls it karma, or that they just got lucky. Other times, pride leads people to think that it was considered as a deserved and expected favor.
Instead of seeing it as luck or karma, believers are to recognize that God was on one’s side. If God is not on the side of the believer, there would be no forgiveness of sin. There would be no hope of a future. There would be no healing of sickness. There would be no joy. There would be no overcoming of sin and the world. There would only be death and suffering.
No matter how difficult things may get, without God, life would be a lot worse. Believers need to remember that if God had not been on their side, it would have been worse.
Just as Israel went through many different difficult times, you have times of difficulties. The world is out to destroy you and keep you from truly living life to the fullest. Lean on God and recognize that He is there for you to build you up and give you an abundant life that will extend into all eternity. Without God you will have nothing. Think about what might have been if God had not been on your side during all those difficult times and where you would be today.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will recognize God’s hand in your life; that you will give God praise for His work in your life; and that you will trust God with your life.
Picture by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
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