Friday, October 21, 2011

Psalm 124

A song of ascents. Of David.
1 If the LORD had not been on our side—
let Israel say—
2 if the LORD had not been on our side
when people attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive
when their anger flared against us;
4 the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
would have swept us away.
6 Praise be to the LORD,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird
from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Key Verse:
6 Praise be to the LORD,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

Key Observation:
McGee: “As Psalm 123 is the “eye of hope” looking to the future, so Psalm 124 is the eye of the past, reviewing the history of God’s mercy to them in the past.”

McGee, J. Vernon (1990-01-30). Thru the Bible 1-5 (5 Volume Set) (Kindle Locations 51227-51228). Grupo Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Memory Verse:
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

Devotion:

I believe this psalm looks to the past, but if it makes sense, also has a future application to Israel. It is true that the Lord has supernaturally provided and secured the nation of Israel. It is also a certain fact that the Lord has scattered his people throughout the world on multiple occasions. Israel has great reason for confidence for the Lord because he is their Jehovah Jirah (provider).

But does this psalm not picture the enemies of Israel tearing Israel by the teeth? There is yet one more time that will happen—then the Lord will be the Shepherd of his people, and they will all heed the cry of their Good Shepherd. Behold, that day is almost upon us! Second Thessalonians tells us specifically: “Concerning the coming of out Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him. . . saying that the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, . . .” (chapter 2). Our Lord is coming back to Israel, but these verses make it clear that the coming is not already. The man of sin must be revealed, but not before the Lord gathers his own, as a mother hen would gather her chicks under her wings. “Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (1 Thess. 1)

We will be with the Lord in heaven at the time of Jacob’s trouble, at the time which this psalm may be speaking of. Remember the Lord’s words: “I go now to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also.” It is to heaven that He will take us, and so we will be saved from the wrath to come. At the end of Jacob’s trouble, a seven year period, the Lord himself will be revealed from heaven, returning with his holy ones. The holy ones are you and I, made holy by the blood sacrifice of our Lord forever. We will return with the Lord, watch while he gathers his saints together from the tribulation, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. What a day of rejoicing that will be!

1. Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed
He’ll prepare for us a place.
o Refrain:
When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
2. While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when trav’ling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.
3. Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.
4. Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold

Eliza E. Hewitt, pub.1898

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