Psalm 124: O God Our Help!
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Time and time again, the nation of Israel was confronted by enemies bent upon its destruction. David realized God had delivered him from impossible situations and the nation as well. “Many times it seemed that the chosen people would be annihilated. However, the Lord provided a way of escape.” It is all too easy to forget a prayer that has been answered once the crisis passes. The story of the ten lepers illustrates this point.
Jesus healed ten men of the hideous and fatal disease of leprosy.
Of the ten, only one returned to thank his Savior (Luke 17:11–19).
As a recipient of God’s mercy and grace, when confronted with an insurmountable problem, do you remember to thank Him? David was not one to take God’s deliverance for granted. As long as God remained on the side of Israel, he knew they had nothing to fear.
Had not God been for them, “when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: Then the proud waters had gone over our soul” (Psalm 124:2–5). Were it not for God’s protection, the righteous on this earth would perish.
Like “a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped” (v. 7). David uses the same symbolism of a bird helplessly trapped in Psalm 25:15 when he writes, “Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.” Where is the sinner to turn when caught in an evil net? Our only hope, like that of Israel, is to turn to the Lord for salvation. The psalms repeatedly tell us that God is our only help in times of trouble: “Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:8).
“My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). “Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man” (Psalm 108:12).
“Just when I need Him, Jesus is near, / Just when I falter, just when I fear; / Ready to help me, ready to cheer, / Just when I need Him most.”
