If it had not been the Lord who was on our side – let Israel now say – if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! 

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.        [Psalm 124]

I read this yesterday and it changed me somehow, some little bit. I don’t even really know what about it impressed itself upon my heart, except that it’s true.

If not for God, I would be any number of things … overwhelmed, trapped, dead, despairing. May my heart never cease to acknowledge that any good thing is from the Lord. That fear, sin, pride, self-obsession would otherwise swallow me. I’m not in danger from any people these days. My enemy isn’t even cancer. “…I do not wrestle against flesh and blood…”¹ but against my own folly, my focus on myself, my discontent, and more.

But He has made a way of escape, and it’s Himself. I’m pleading with my heart to recall His mercies, this Creator, this Redeemer of mine. He is on my side, but it’s not me who did the choosing. He has rescued me and rescues me every day. His goodness is unending. Let us cling to Him.

Blessed be the Lord.

¹ Ephesians 6:12