Psalm 124 - Training

Psalms 124:1-8 NIV

Leader: If the Lord had not been on our side— let Israel say—

Peolpe: if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us,

Leader: they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us;

Peolpe: the flood would have engulfed us,

Leader: the torrent would have swept over us,

Peolpe: the raging waters would have swept us away.

Leader: Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare;

Peolpe: the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.

All: Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

The psalms seem to have something for nearly any occasion in life. Psalm 124 seems appropriate as a communal psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance. Stretching our imagination we can substitute people attacking to any kind of enemy. Anytime a community has suffered an attack on its peace and security, whether from human or beast, storm or virus, economic or political forces, this liturgy works when the community has endured with God's help.

The leader begins by inviting the gathered worshipers to say, "If the Lord had not been on our side." The Lord on our side means the Lord fights with us.

One of my favorite verses from the exodus story occurs at the Red Sea. Imagine the scene. The Israelites are trapped at the edge of the sea with Pharaoh's chariots barreling down on them. They are terrified. They cry out to Moses who led them to their deaths, it would seem. Moses responds.

Exodus 14:14 NIV

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

In the Hebrew mind, if the people are faithful to God by keeping His covenant, then God is with them protecting and providing. When they lose in battle, or face others trials like sickness or famine, then they believe they must have done something wrong to offend God. I tend not to think this way. I think God is always with me even when I cannot sense His presence. Even when I face difficulties and trials I do not think that God is punishing me. Rather God is training me through the things life presents me. Consider the writer of Hebrews.

Hebrews 12:7, 11 NIV

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Whatever threat your face, know that God is with you. His love for you is given freely and unconditionally. God is always working on you, in you, and through you. All life is opportunity. Take advantage of every one to look to your Father in heaven for training in wisdom and righteousness. Peace will be your reward.