If It Wasn't For The Lord

Psalm 124:1-8 (KJV)

1

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;

2 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:

3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:

5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.

6 Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.

7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

A major aspect of ancient Israel's worship was the "backward glance." A remembering God's faithfulness to His people.

This Psalm has a special emphasis on that. It is part of the "Songs of Ascent" (Or degrees) section in the Psalms. This section covers Psalm 120-134 and was sung by travelers on their way UP to Jerusalem three times a year for the required feasts and Holy days.

The Psalmist starts this hymn off with the word "If"

If - A little tiny two letter word - but it spells the difference between deliverance and disaster. Everything depended on that "if."

He is asking a question only to answer himself.

Have you ever really thought about this question - What if the Lord had not been on our side?

The Jewish nation has narrowly escaped annihilation not once but many times. According to all natural law, they should have been an extinct people. They have been through horrific sieges, massacres, gas chambers, ovens, bombed, and many

It is a miracle there is a Jewish nation today - celebrating their 70th year as a nation. It is not because of cleverness, strenght, or even because we are their ally. It is because There is one in the heavens who made a promise to Abraham many many years ago.

In this psalm dangers are put into four different metaphors - I want to look at them a little this morning

Ferocious Monster - 124:2-3 - Sometimes Satan Comes at us like a terrible monster, trying to swallow us up in one gulp.He can use stress of life - Devastating Flood - 124:4-5 - I haven't been around many flash floods, but I have seen firsthand the devastation of floods. It can completely wipe out a town or parts of a city. A Wild Beast - 124:6 - This kind of corresponds to the first one - Has Satan ever come after you as a Lion? The Bible says that is one way he can operate seeking whom he may devour. A Terrible Trap - 124:7 - Traps sometimes are set for us by the tempter. Trying to drag us back down. Trying to take us out. I look back at my teen-age years and early Christian walk -and can say with certainty - IF it hadn't been for the Lord I wouldn't be here.

Martin Luther put it this way in his great hymn - "Did we in our own strength confide,/ Our striving would be losing."

Our help is in the name of the LORD

The LORD who made heaven and earth.