How can acknowledging "the LORD was on our side" strengthen our faith today? Grasping the Heart of Psalm 124:1 “If the LORD had not been on our side—let Israel now say—” This psalm celebrates a real historical rescue. David calls Israel to look back and confess, “We survived because God stepped in.” That same confession fuels our faith today. Why Remembering God’s Past Intervention Builds Present Confidence • Proof of God’s reliability – He acted before; His character hasn’t changed (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). • Perspective in current trials – Yesterday’s deliverances remind us today’s threats are not final (2 Corinthians 1:10). • Protection against fear – Fear shrinks when we recall our Champion stands with us (Isaiah 41:10). • Promotion of gratitude – Gratitude turns memories into worship, which deepens intimacy with Him (Psalm 103:2). • Pattern for future expectation – If He was on our side then, we anticipate His help now and tomorrow (Philippians 1:6). Four Faith-Strengthening Practices 1. Rehearse personal “Psalm 124 moments.” • Keep a journal of times the Lord clearly rescued, provided, or guided. • Share those stories with family and friends; testimony multiplies faith (Revelation 12:11). 2. Declare truth in the face of pressure. • Quote Psalm 124:1–2 aloud when anxiety rises. • Pair it with Romans 8:31—“If God is for us, who can be against us?”. 3. Anchor prayers in remembered victories. • Begin prayer by thanking God for specific past interventions. • Let thanksgiving shape bold petitions for present needs (Psalm 50:15). 4. Celebrate communal deliverance. • Recall how God has preserved the church through persecution and trial (Matthew 16:18). • Sing corporate songs of deliverance; worship unites believers in shared confidence. Living with the Certainty of His Side-by-Side Presence • Hold fast to the promise that the Lord is “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). • Walk forward, knowing we are not abandoned soldiers but children protected by the Sovereign King (Deuteronomy 31:6). • Let every new challenge trigger a fresh remembrance: “The LORD was on our side; He still is, and He always will be.” |
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