Psa 124:1 A Song of degrees of David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say.

The theme of this psalm is, “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side.” The psalmist is reminding his readers that had it not been that God was on their side, their condition now would be miserable and deplorable. But God was on their side. He was for them, with them, and among them. The psalmist hypostasised what would have happened to them had the LORD not on their side when the enemies rose up against them: 1. They would have been swallowed up alive by their enemies (v.3). 2.  The proud waters would have covered them (v.4). The psalmist could have had references to these two events in Israel’s history: 1. The wicked and proud Haman who almost succeeded in annihilating the entire Jewish race (Esther 3:6-15). Fortunately, God was on their side. He was with them and through Esther and Mordecai, delivered the nation from destruction. 2. The deliverance at the Red Sea (Exodus 14). The waters of the Red Sea could have covered them just as they covered the Egyptian chariots. What if the Lord was not on their side? They would be non-existent! The psalmist knows what it would have meant if the LORD had not been on their side. What about us? Have we ever given some thoughts to this question: What would have become of us had the LORD not on our side? We are far too slow in declaring our gratitude. We are too quick to complain about the weather, the traffic jam, the train breakdown, the food on the table, the stresses in our jobs, etc. We complain about every small incident that happens. We are quick to blame God. Why do I say we should thank God when “bad” things happen? The simple reason is: It could have been worse. For example, if the car that you were driving was hit from behind and suffered a dent while you and your family in the car suffered no injury, thank God. Had it not been that God was with you, it could have been worse. What about a traffic jam? It may be a blessing in disguise. We should not jump to conclusion when “bad things” happen nor rejoice with too much of “good things”. The prophet Isaiah reminded Israel that had it not been Jehovah God was on their side and left them a small remnant, they would have become non-existent like Sodom and Gomorrah: “Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah” (Isaiah 1:9). But God had, by His infinite power and goodness, restrained their enemies, and preserved them from total destruction. What if the LORD were not on your side? Have you ever given that question any thought? The psalmist wants us to think about what our life would have been like if the LORD had not been on our side. What about me? What would have happened if the LORD had not been on my side? I know what would happen… 1. I would have been hit by a huge coconut which dropped right in front of me. 2. I would have been killed when a platform I was standing on gave way. 3. I would have been run down by a speeding car which beat the red light. 4. I would not have met and married my wonderful wife. Good things happen when the LORD is on our side. If you have lost your job today, fret not; I lost mine before. And the journey from that point has been only good ever since. Think for a moment: Would you be at this point today had the LORD not on your side? Give thanks to God for He is good!