Friday, June 17, 2011

Psalm (excerpts from 124,125 and 128 NASB

(124)Had it not been the LORD who was on our side when men rose up against us; then they would have swallowed us alive...then the waters would have engulfed us, the stream would have swept over our soul; then the raging waters would have swept over our soul.  Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us to be torn by their teeth.  Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper...Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth...  (125)As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever... Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts.  But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, the LORD will lead them away with the doers of iniquity....  (128)Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD.  Lord, hear my voice!  Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.  If You, LORD should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?  But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.

"Whose side are you on anyway?"  Have you ever heard that kind of question, or asked it yourself?  It's not a position anyone likes to be put into, but, when we're the one needing a friend, we sure do like to know we have someone who is on our side.  The problem, of course, is complicated when we're the guilty party and still want people to take our side.  Some have tried to put God into that kind of position, looking for His presence, smile and blessing while living otherwise, but to no avail.  Yet it's a popular notion among many who call themselves Christians today; that somehow they can admit to an adulterous affair, or some other blatant sin, one one hand, while claiming that God was still with them on the other hand.  How can it be?  The verses, from these two Psalms are not that kind of promise.  Far from it.  One need only to consider this plea, "Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts," and then we can understand the language that comes before:  "Had it not been the LORD who was on our side...then the waters would have engulfed us, the stream would have swept over our soul; then the raging waters would have swept over our soul... As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever..."   Yes, the LORD takes sides, but only on the basis of our taking His side.  He stands with those who choose to stand with Him.  This is the purity and power of His promises, otherwise they wouldn't mean anything to anyone because they would be doled out to everyone, no matter how they chose to live.  But thank God it's not so. They become precious to us because they hold great meaning between the Giver and us.
  • The promises of God are given because we have responded to the marvel of His invitation.  His promises are not thrown out there like bones tossed out on the ground for any dog to maul.  The promises of God are a banquet meal served at a well prepared table, for those who care to join Him there.  And joy of joys, we're invited!
  • The promises of God are given because we have responded to the marvel of His forgiveness.  The Psalmist says, "If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?  But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared."  Thank God He didn't hold our sins against us.  None of us would have stood a chance.  And thank God He dealt with the sin against us, offering a forgiveness that moves the heart from rebellion to reverence. 
It's to these that God says, "I'm for you and not against you!"  Thanks be to God!  "Had it not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us; then they would have swallowed us alive... But, praise God, "Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper; the snare is broken and we have escaped.  Our help in in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth," (Psalm 124:7-8). 

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