The Difference -Psalm 124

“If the Lord had not been on our side…”

The little word “if” found in verses 1 and 2 of this Psalm is the margin between victory and defeat; overcoming and being overcome; advance and retreat.  From the purely human standpoint, perhaps it appeared to David that this margin was too narrow; the forces on both sides were evenly matched; one swing of the pendulum either way would determine the outcome.  From our human vantage point, and afflicted as we are with limited vision and short-sightedness, many of life’s experiences and battles are like that.

Observe that which confronted Israel.  David said “men rose up against us” (v. 2).  These were angry and able men, whose “wrath was kindled against us” (v. 3).  We were the targets of their vengeful fury.  He pictures the waters as raging, bent on overwhelming them; yea, they were “proud waters,” boastful and confident of sweeping all in their wake (vv. 4, 5).  The enemy is further depicted as a fowler-experienced and subtle, with his snare set for the catch (vv. 6, 7).  All of which serves to remind us that life has its opposition and its conflicts.

Then the writer ventures to suggest what might have been, but for the victory margin.  We shudder to contemplate the possibilities, and yet how real they loom.  “If it had not been…,” then here is the end result.  These angry, wrathful men would have made short work of ridding the world of us!  These swirling waters had gone over our soul and “overwhelmed us” (vv 4, 5).  The inference is that soul loss and spiritual tragedy are involved.  The enemy would have snared us and made meat of us, said David (vv. 6, 7).  How solemnly terrible to become victims of the enemy’s wiles!

But now the light breaks through!  Men are in bloody combat.  Blow after blow is truck.  Men tremble and stagger.  And then we behold the tide turn.  It is revealed that the margin of victory is not some thin line of endurance; nor some man-made fortress; nor some intangible quality; but a Person, the Lord Himself!  The “if” is removed.  “The Lord was on our side.”  He is the difference!  Because He was on our side, said the Psalmist, ungodly men did not swallow us up.  The “proud waters” did not overwhelm us.  The snare was broken and we escaped as a bird into new found freedom.  Then, as with a shout of victory, the writer declared, “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made the heaven and earth.”

To us as individuals this speaks encouragement.  For the church it should boost faith.  It is not by human might or power; not by money or equipment; not be ingenuity or cleverness; not by size or influence; not by man’s invention or abilities; but by the power of His Name!  Let us not only know this, but practice it.  God is on our side, but we miss the blessedness of it unless there is realization.  The host of heaven were on hand in the prophet’s day, but it meant nothing to his servant until his eyes were opened to behold them.  When this becomes a reality, then we can say, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Dare we consider the related truth?  Hear the man of old, challenging a people given to vacillation and indecision with the call:  “Who is on the Lord’s side?”  It is said that someone expressed to President Lincoln during the tragic war years concern as to which side God was on.  The President immediately replied that he was more concerned that we might be found on God’s side.  Identifying ourselves with Him is the vital thing.  He has a plan for His church.  Are we working with Him in consummating that plan?  He has a program to evangelize our world; are we participating in the Divine program, or are we operating a detached program of our won?

It is sincerely believed the He has a blueprint for Kingdom advancement through the channels of Wesleyan Methodism.  It behooves us to seek for that pattern, as revealed through the New Testament, as well as through the direct ministry of the Holy Spirit.  The cry of the hour is for outreach, evangelistic passion and a soul-winning ministry.  Let us work with God in fulfilling His plan for His church.  That is the difference between failure and fruitfulness; between man’s frail efforts and the divinely-assured success.  Throw out our “ifs” of doubt and uncertainty; write in the confidence born of assurance that God is for us.  Then our lives and labors shall reflect, not human frailty but the Divine ability.

--B. H. Phaup, General Superintendent