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1 If God hadn't been for us - all together now, Israel, sing out! - 2 If God hadn't been for us when everyone went against us, 3 We would have been swallowed alive by their violent anger, 4 Swept away by the flood of rage, drowned in the torrent; 5 We would have lost our lives in the wild, raging water. 6 Oh, blessed be God! He didn't go off and leave us. He didn't abandon us defenseless, helpless as a rabbit in a pack of snarling dogs. 7 We've flown free from their fangs, free of their traps, free as a bird. Their grip is broken; we're free as a bird in flight. 8 God's strong name is our help, the same God who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124 The Message Bible)
A most terrific of Thursdays to you, dear Friend. May the fullness of God's grace bless you and lift your spirits today; that's my prayer for you! Let us pray for one another; pray for those on our church's prayer list, and pray for those who have asked prayers from us. Pray for our world and those who are in need.
The photo for today reminds me of an ancient movie called The End and the star was the late Burt Reynolds. I vaguely remember the movie but will never forget the scene where Burt , a wealthy man in this movie, felt let down to the point where he goes on a boat to the middle of the bay, far from shore, hoping to end it all by being in the water without a boat. Once he's in the water he realizes that what was bothering him was not that big of a deal and so he begins to swim and pray, "Lord, if you help me get to shore, I'll give You everything I own; then as he nears the shore changes it to "Lord, if you help me get to shore, I'll give you half of everything I own!" Closer he changes it to 30% then 10%, then as he's almost there, "Okay, Lord, fine! You really don't want anything from me, that's fine!" And makes it to shore. I know that's not you is it?
The psalmist on the other hand, has an eternally grateful heart to all that God has done for him. This is his journey back to acknowledging the potential disasters that could have befallen us, and takes us to the place where we recognize the unceasing help that has flowed from the Lord. It addresses our human vulnerabilities and our ultimate dependence on God's grace and protection. Tying this psalm to yesterday's Exodus story reminds us that had it not been for God the consequences could have been far worse. The birth and rescue of Moses was thanks to God. In our lives, we can, and should be, singing the same song! Numerous have been the times we have been down and thought it was all over, but when we called on God, that turned around and victory was ours. We are fragile at times and vulnerable too, but as Paul would later write, that is when God shines in spite of our weaknesses.
I love the modern language of this version which pretty accurately describes some of those times, "(God) didn't abandon us defenseless, helpless as a rabbit in a pack of snarling dogs." Amen! God does step in and we get "flown free from their fangs, free of their traps, free as a bird. Their grip is broken; we're free as a bird in flight." We go from calamity to celebration; all because of God. God's protection is unfailing and He is always with us. Let life throw us what it will, we will be sustained and victorious, thanks to the Lord.
Again, I believe we are called to be a people of immense gratitude towards God for all God has done on our behalf. We are called to live lives that give witness to that gratitude in ways that invite others to come and join us in our journey of faith.
PRAYER: Loving and awesome God, help us keep our eyes fixed on You at all times. We face unknown challenges each day but we know that with You on our side, we will be triumphant. Help us help others; this we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Help others focus on Jesus today!
Receive my blessings of hope and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
