Scripture:
[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 people rose up against 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.
Observation:
David is saying that all of Israel should be thankful to God for his grace and recognize that he, and only he, could have gotten them out of their terrible situation as he did.
David writes this probably about God saving them from the Philistines in battle. While the Israelites participated, it was not through their works they were saved. “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side” – David repeats this truth because of how important it is to recognize that only God saved them.
Application:
Just as only God saved the Israelites from being decimated and overrun as David recounts, only Jesus has saved us now. Only through God’s grace do we receive the gift of salvation from this damaged and corrupt world. Without Him, we will be decimated by the corruption around us.
On our own, we aren’t gong to change the fact that millions of babies are killed every year due to abortions. Abortion centers primarily focused on killing babies in minority neighborhoods. On our own, we are not going to settle the unrest and division in this country due to election division or differences in politics, On our own, we are not going to bring the unbelieving Christian persecution of this world to an end.
But here’s the thing.. we can’t change all of this on our own but we also know that not only can God fix these messed up situations, but he can use the terrible mess for the good of us who love him and are called according to his purpose (my paraphrase of Rom 8:28). Now, that’s exciting!
Prayer:
Thank you for pulling me up from the depths caused by my sin and for salvation while I don’t deserve it. I am helpless and hopeless without you. Now use me Lord. Help me be more like you and use me to accomplish your plan. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen.