Reflecting the Image

Scripture:

Psalm 124

Thanksgiving for Israel’s Deliverance

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side
    —let Israel now say—

2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
    when our enemies attacked us,

3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
    when their anger was kindled against us;

4 then the flood would have swept us away;
    the torrent would have gone over us;

5 then over us would have gone
    the raging waters.

6 Blessed be the Lord,
    who has not given us
    as prey to their teeth.

7 We have escaped like a bird
    from the snare of the hunters;
the snare is broken,
    and we have escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth. (NRSVUE)

Observation:

David is giving thanks for God’s deliverance. These are words of thanksgiving for God’s presence in the midst of very difficult circumstances. There were moments when it felt as though the enemy was surrounding them.

Listen to the emotions:

We were going to be swallowed up.

They were full of anger.

It was like a flood that might sweep us away.

It just kept coming in torrents, threatening to drown us.

Raging waters.

But none of these things were able to destroy them or their faith.

God provided a way of escape.

The snare was broken.

They were free.

So they praised the name of the Lord, who was their help!

Application:

We may not have an army bearing down on us, but David’s words just might resonate with us and the difficulties we face in life.

Sometimes the challenges we face make us feel as though we are going to be swallowed up. Who we are and what we are called to do can become buried beneath pain and grief, and we wonder whether we will ever again feel like ourselves.

The most troubling anger may be that which seems to have no root. We can become the recipients of someone else’s anger, frustration, and wrath simply because we are there. Maybe we’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe it’s the assignment. Maybe it’s because of who we are or what we represent.

But there they are, full of anger.

And sometimes the difficult days just keep coming, wave after wave.

There are days when we wonder whether we can keep our heads above the water.

Will we be swept away?

And then comes the realization:

The Lord is with us.

The raging waters may surround us, but we are not alone in them.

The presence of God sustains us. The Spirit draws us more deeply into the life of God, and brothers and sisters in the faith link arms with us along the way. When the rapids come, we hold onto one another—and together, we hold onto Him.

We are not sustained by our own strength.

We are sustained by a loving God.

Sometimes God provides a way of escape. The snare breaks. The rapids subside. The river widens, and we suddenly discover that we can breathe again.

At other times, the circumstances may remain, but somehow God keeps us from being swallowed up by them.

Either way, we begin to recognize what the psalmist knew:

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

In the rapids, we could hardly catch our breath.

Now, we begin to praise.

We praise God who is our help.

We praise the One who promises His presence.

The Lord is on our side.

Prayer:

Lord, today I rest in Your loving embrace. When the waters rage around me, remind me that You are present. Draw me deeper into Your life, surround me with Your people, and teach me to trust in You. You are my help. Amen.