Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Psalm 124 (NRSV)

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 men 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 as 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.

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Reflect

I cannot count the number of times that I have used Psalm 124:8 as a call to worship. “Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” It’s even listed in our “Directory of Worship” as the standard Reformed call to worship. Is there any doubt as to why? What better help do we have than our God? Who else has done more for us than Jesus? Who is a closer, more consistent friend than the Holy Spirit?

The psalmist says, “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side….” How often do we (or maybe should we) say those exact words? I think of my own life. I was headed down a path that would have led me to a very dark place when God saw fit to call me by the Holy Spirit. God rescued me, justified me, adopted me into the family of faith, and gave me the assurance that I belong. No one nor any thing could have done this for me. So I echo the psalmist: If it had not been the LORD who was on my side, I would have been a goner. “If it had not been the Lord who was on your side, _________________ (your turn to fill in the blank).

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Pray

Blessed be your name, O Lord. Your name is our help, refuge, and strength. We all would be lost without you on our side. Thank you for your faithfulness to us. Thank you for your strength when we were weak. Thank you for calling us to be your children and for making us your people. Give us grateful hearts. Amen.

Go with God.