"If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say: If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us then they would have swallowed us up..." Psalm 124:1+
I remembered this scripture in the early hours of the morning while reflecting on a discussion about how wicked some people can be. The more I read this scripture in its entirety, the more I appreciate the gravity of the Lord’s protection and deliverance. If it had not been for the Lord on my side, our enemies would have prevailed. If it had not been for God on our side, we would not have survived the situations that threatened our lives.
There are moments in this journey where you appreciate the gift of life—the ability to breathe and have hope for tomorrow. You have hope not because today is perfect, but because there is an inward expectation of a better and brighter tomorrow. In other instances, because today is not well, life seems meaningless and your own life takes a daunting turn. You become afraid to hope for better after knowing hardship for so long; it strips your imagination of possibilities and leaves you with only what you can see physically.
But when you have an enemy who rises against you—one who has the power to swallow you up, whose wrath is ignited against you, and who can overwhelm your soul—you must understand that unless you have God defending you, those who seek to destroy you will succeed.
Yet, the scripture blesses God for not giving us up as prey to their teeth. We are not devoured or destroyed. We are not torn to pieces. I believe we must give glory for such a divine escape and for redemption from our enemies. There are situations that utterly strip people of hope, expectation, and even their faith that God can save. However, those of us who have testimonies of how He has delivered us must remember that He is a Deliverer. We have stories of how He helped us destroy the lion and the bear, just as David did in the wilderness; of His divine provision; and of overturning unfavourable decisions. Because of this, we have the assurance that He who delivered us in the past is also able to deliver us in our present circumstances, and will continue to do so.
Your victory has already been established. The process of that victory becoming a physical experience isn't always pleasant, but you aren't fighting to acquire something; it has already been won. You simply have to persevere to enforce what has already been done.
Thank God for the victories we have won. Be grateful for all He has done. Amidst all that isn’t working out, remember the three Hebrew boys who decided they would rather die in a furnace than turn their back on God. Whatever fiery furnace you are in, the Son of God is there with you, ensuring that no harm befalls you. If it had not been for the Lord on their side, the enemy would have mocked their God, claiming He was powerless to deliver them. But power belongs to God. He will deliver you because His word promises that He is faithful. The One who has called you into fellowship with Jesus Christ our Lord is faithful.
God is faithful.
