"If it had not been for the Lord who was on our side"

In Psalm 124 David celebrates the sweet victory that comes when the Lord of heaven and earth is on your side. I’ve experienced this power, this strength that comes from the same God that rescued a multitude of people from genocide, slavery and death. A God that is powerful enough to deliver a nation from their enemies (time and again) is the God that I serve; the only one that gives me the strength I need to do what He has called me to do. David repeats this phrase: “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side.” Then they would have been defeated- annihilated at that. I can plug that phrase into my own life. If it had not been the Lord who was on my side, I would not have made it through my first week of teaching! If it had not been the Lord who was on my side, I would not have had the patience I desperately needed at times. If it had not been the Lord who was on my side, I would not have been able to fight the temptation of self pity and self doubt. If it had not been for the Lord, I would be at a loss. A detrimental loss. Praise God- the God of heaven and earth- the God of Israel- the God that saved a nation from destruction, a human race from eternal death, and me: a girl struggling to fit her role as a teacher and role model to a couple hundred kids in Lima, Peru. A God so magnanimous, yet so personal. If it had not been the Lord who was on my side… I would hate to think of the life I’d be living- or NOT living in that case. I’m thankful for the struggles and the challenges, but only because I know that I have an almighty God on my side that is fighting for me. Friends, I have great news… “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8.