Psalms of Ascent – Psalm124
Apr 27 in Steps of Ascent
In this Psalm David remembers the Lord’s deliverance, how many times had He rescued him from the hand of the enemy and helped him to triumph?. Not through his own wisdom, charisma, ability or agility but ‘had it not been the Lord who was on his side’ v.1
The Psalms, a book where we find that we can identify with the feelings of those David and others felt, feelings sometimes of utter helplessness and pain, anxiety and weakness, where we can meet with a God who never leaves our side nor gives up on loving us, despite the obstacles, despite us. At the end of his life David gave his son Solomon the following advice: “So be strong…observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations…so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go…walk faithfully before me with all your heart and soul…” 1 Kings 2:1-4.
In the Bible we meet with real people with real feelings and difficulties, real weaknesses and real battles; we find that we can identify with them, discover the real God they illuminate and learn to walk with Him in the same way. David felt such hatred that he said ‘they would have swallowed us alive’ circumstances so overwhelming as ‘raging waters engulfed us’ (Psalm 18), an enemy so ferocious as to be ‘torn by their teeth’ and traps in his path he called ‘the snare of the trapper’ set with the only objective to destroy him.
However, our help is in the name of the Lord, (YHWH) the Great ‘I AM’ He who does not change, self-existent and whose promises never fail, for He is always FAITHFUL. It is in and through these circumstances that we learn His true character and learn to trust in His unfailing love and power to deliver us.
He is on our side! He can bring confusion and division to the enemy camp (2 Chronicles 20), cause them to walk in blindness (2 Kings 6:18), He fights against those too strong for us (Psalm 18:7), keeps us from falling into the snare of the fowler (Psalm 91:3), reveals what the opposing forces plan in secret (2 Kings 6:12), thwarts the way of the wicked…if God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31-39.
Like David we will say ‘You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance’ Psalm 32:7. Blessed be the Lord (YHWH) … our help is in the name (YHWH) of the Lord!! And we shall SING!!