The Word In Season
“If the Lord had not been on our side—
let Israel say—
2 if the Lord had not been on our side
when people attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive
when their anger flared against us;
4 the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
would have swept us away.” Psalm 124
This psalm begins with a refrain: if it had not been the Lord who was on our side. This may have been used as a chorus in worship, a reminder to the faithful that God has been present in every moment, even the most difficult. The psalmist says that they were saved from drowning, that they were rescued from being prey for their enemies.
We sometimes take suffering personally: why me? We focus on the origin of the suffering rather than God’s presence with us in every circumstance. Having God on our “side” in the midst of trouble does not mean that hard times will never come. in spite of the psalmist words, suffering and loss did not come to the Israelites. floods and disaster do occur, even with the Lord on our side. And yet we are not left alone in the aftermath. God is with us, on our side, as we face the rebuilding and renewing together.
Steadfast God, let me be found on your side,
and let me know that you are by my side. AMEN
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