Psalm 124: If It Had Not Been for the Lord

Psalm 124

Amplified Bible (AMP)

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

¹ If it had not been the Lord Who was on our side—now may Israel say—

² If it had not been the Lord Who was on our side when men rose up against us,

³ Then they would have quickly swallowed us up alive when their wrath was kindled against us;

⁴ Then the waters would have overwhelmed us and swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us;

⁵ Then the proud waters would have gone over us.

⁶ Blessed be the Lord, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth!

⁷ We are like a bird escaped from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!

⁸ Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

I can't stop remembering the past and comparing it to the present!  I am so thankful!!!   Psalm 124 beautifully describes what would have happened to Israel if the Lord had not been on their side.  Thinking about my own life, I think about what would have happened to me if the Lord had not been on my side.  I take this Psalm personally, and I encourage all of you to apply it to your life as well, remembering that man (or woman) is not our enemy, but the evil one who whispers lies and stirs up contentions is our true enemy.

If it had not been the Lord Who was on my side when the evil one rose up against me, then he would have quickly swallowed me up alive when his wrath was kindled against me.

The waters would have overwhelmed me and swept me away, the torrent would have gone over me.

The proud waters would have gone over me.

Blessed be my Abba, Who has not given me as prey to his teeth!

I am like a bird escaped from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and I have escaped!

My Help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

This morning, I remember the past and give praise to my God Who was on my side, is on my side and will always be on my side!  If I "feel" like all is against me, I will remember that the Author of Everything has my back.  All for His glory!!! 

Nehemiah 10-13: None Can Stand Before the Great I AM!



I felt like I was suppose to post this song, but wasn't sure how it would fit into the devotion for today.  In reading, I see now what the Lord is saying.

No matter what mountain this life manifests, the mountains will shake and crumble before the power and the presence of the Great I Am!

Our part...

"...to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings, and with singing, cymbals, harps, and lyres."  Nehemiah 12:27b (Amplified)

The Israelites were celebrating the dedication of the newly constructed wall.  Church, Beloved of Jesus, the wall is rebuilt!  See it now!!!  Do not be deceived by the current world atmosphere.  There is no power in hell or any who can stand before the power and the presence of the Great I am!!!

"And the singers sang and made themselves heard..." Nehemiah 12:42b (Amplified)

We must continually allow the Holy Spirit to identify and cleanse not only the Church at large, but our personal temples.  We must rid ourselves of all traces of the enemy!

Nehemiah 13:7-9
Amplified Bible (AMP)

7 Then I discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah in preparing him [an adversary] a chamber in the courts of the house of God!
8 And it grieved me exceedingly, and I threw all the house furnishings of Tobiah out of the chamber.

9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers; and I brought back there the vessels of the house of God, with the cereal offerings and the frankincense."

 

Friends...

 

Sing and be heard!

Play your instrument loudly!

Dance without religious restraint!

Live in purity!

 

We have a high calling...to worship the Great I AM!!!

Nehemiah 6-9: As One Man

Nehemiah 8:1-3
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Then all the people gathered together as one man in the broad place before the Water Gate; and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel.

And Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of both men and women and all who could hear with understanding, on the first of the seventh month.

He read from it, facing the broad place before the Water Gate, from early morning until noon, in the presence of the men and women and those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

As one man...

What mental image do you have when thinking about this phrase?  It's obvious that "all the people" equal many more than just one man.  Let me propose to you that "as one man" is referring to a heart quality shared by all the people.  The people as a whole unit, as one man, desired to know God's heart as expressed by His Word.  These people were attentive to the reading of the Law, because in their heart, they all desired to do right, to live according to God's directives. 

Later, in chapter 8, verse 9, the people wept when hearing God's Law.  Apparently, this "one man" was being convicted of how far from God's holy mark they had been living.  Yet Ezra encourages this "one man."

Nehemiah 8:10
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.

How does this story apply to the church at large today?  Are we attentive to God's law?  Do we share a common desire to hear, then obey?  Do we feel the sting of conviction when what we think or do doesn't line up with living the way God desires?

I am not writing about following the law as a mechanical manual, us being religious robots who walk through life feeling condemned, who work, and work to prove worthiness.  Let it never be!!!

Freedom is conviction of His Spirit, empowered by grace, living knowing we are loved by God!!!  Having this corporate heart attitude through out the church (His Bride) qualifies us as being gathered together "as one man."  Excitedly anticipating God's direction, feeling our heart being stirred for change we will embrace the Spirit's conviction. 

As we listen attentively to what God is saying, together with a like heart's desire, then we become one in the eyes of God.  Jesus isn't coming for many brides, He is coming for one Bride, "one (hu)mans, His unified people!

Sooo, the next time fear induces you to "politely ignore" a brother or sister in Christ or hold those people whom you judge as sinners at arms length, remember the people who gathered together, attentive to God's Law, being seen by God as "one man" and choose to be unified for a holy change!

We need each other!  It's the way God designed His Church!  We must forgive and encourage and hold each other up! Some may even need to contact a brother or sister whom they have mistreated. Living in this way, God sees us as one man!!!  Jesus, sees us as His radiantly beautiful Bride!!!

In the name of our Bridegroom, Jesus...AMEN!!!