Psalm 124:1-8
“The LORD is on our side”
February 8, 2026
Today we find ourselves standing on the precipice of a grand and glorious truth, a truth that transcends our own understanding and reaches into the very heart of divine wisdom. It is a truth that has been whispered into the ears of the faithful, a truth that has been etched into the hearts of those who love the Lord. It is a truth that we will find in the beautiful poetry of a Psalm of David, Psalm 124. It begins with, "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." What a powerful declaration of faith! What an incredible testament to the unwavering power of our God! This passage invites us to reflect on three significant considerations: The Israelites History, God’s Powerful Hand and Our Ever-present Help.
The History - What would have happened? They would have swallowed us, engulfed us, and swept over us! David reminds us of what God has already done. Sometimes we need to look back over our lives and recant all that He has done for us. How He made a way out of no way time and time again. When has someone risen up against you? But they didn’t swallow you up because the Lord was on your side. When was the enemy wrath kindled against you? But the waters did not overwhelm you because the Lord was on your side. When did the stream of problems like swollen waters overwhelm you? But they did not because the Lord was on your side! “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive.” There are things that could have swallowed you. But they didn’t. There are battles you could have lost, but you didn’t. There are storms that could have destroyed you, but they didn’t. So, be grateful because God kept your household. Be grateful because God kept your ministry. Be grateful because God kept your mind. Be grateful because God kept your faith. Sometimes the greatest miracle is not that everything changed, but that you survived while everything was fighting you.
The Hand - By His mighty hand we have escaped like a bird from a snare because God would not let us be trapped. How often do we find ourselves in the throes of adversity, feeling as though the world is against us? How often do we feel lost, unsure of which path to take? And how often do we forget the joy and delight that comes from being in the presence of God, from knowing Him intimately and deeply? These are the questions that Psalms 124 encourages us to consider. When we find ourselves in the midst of trials and tribulations, it is natural to feel overwhelmed, to feel as though the weight of the world is pressing down upon us. We may even feel as though we are alone in our struggles, as though no one understands the depth of our pain or the complexity of our situation. But the truth is, we are never alone. We have a God who is always with us, a God who is always ready to deliver us from our troubles. In the face of adversity, it is easy to forget this: It is easy to lose sight of God's presence and to instead focus on our problems. But the Psalmist reminds us that it is God who is on our side, it is God who stands with us in the face of adversity. This is a powerful reminder of our need to rely on God, to trust in His divine deliverance. If you need Support Isaiah 41:10 says, "I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." If you need Deliverance Deuteronomy 7:8 says, "The Lord brought you out with a mighty hand." If you need Safety John 10:28 says, "They shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." If you need Humility 1 Peter 5:6 says, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." If you need Strength 1 Chronicles 29:12 says, "In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all." If you need Comfort Psalm 139:10 says, "Even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."
The Help – Our help is the name of the LORD! – Acts 4;12 says that there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved! David says that He made heaven and earth. The Apostle teaches, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” We are finite beings with finite resources. We cannot solve our problems on our own. We need help, and that help comes from God. He is our source of strength, our source of wisdom, our source of comfort. When we recognize our limitations and turn to God for help, we are demonstrating our dependence on His divine deliverance. God is in control of everything! He is the creator of the universe, the ruler of all nations, the judge of all people. Nothing happens without His knowledge or permission. When we acknowledge God's sovereignty, we are affirming our trust in His divine deliverance. Gratitude is a powerful force. “Blessed be the LORD!” It shifts our focus from our problems to our blessings. It reminds us of all the ways in which God has delivered us in the past, all the ways in which He is delivering us in the present, all the ways in which He will deliver us in the future. When we express gratitude, we are reinforcing our dependence on God's divine deliverance. Bible verses about God as our helper emphasize His constant presence, strength, and guidance. The Psalmist said in 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble", Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you... I will strengthen you, I will help you." These scriptures assure believers that God sustains, protects, and provides for them in all circumstances, offering refuge and strength through the Lord and the Holy Spirit. David concluded, “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Margaret Pleasant Douroux sang in 1980, “If it had not been for the lord on my side, where would I be?” If it had not been for the Lord on my side, where would I be? Where would I be? He kept my enemies away. He let the sun shine through a cloudy day. Oh, He wrapped me in the cradle of His arms, when He knew I'd been battered and torn!
