With all of the things going on in our busy lives, we run the risk of forgetting one of the most simple responses to God’s goodness. Thanks. Once a year, we gather together with our families to eat more food than we should and spend the day thanking God for things He has given us. For many of us, this is a day of reflection, but for others, it’s a time of football games and tense family conversations. I want to propose to you that a person of thanks is someone who realizes God’s daily influence and protection. Do you live a life of constant thanksgiving for God’s involvement in your life?
The Lord is on our side
It’s always good to know the Lord is on our side. However, I must say that there are times when He is not. If a person has failed to place their trust in Him, then there is no relationship with Him. At that point, God has no reason to care for those who fail to rest in His protection. Sometimes we travel the broad path of destruction in our lives because we choose to do so. At that point, God will allow the consequences of our choices to affect us.
Interestingly, the psalmist repeats his assertion “if it had not been the Lord who was on our side.” He understood that their ultimate protection came from the Lord. I realize that we don’t necessarily deal with the same kinds of danger that Israel did, but the Lord is still acting on our behalf and for His ultimate good in our lives.
It’s easy to overlook. With all we have going on, we tend to push back the thoughts and reminders of God’s protection and goodness to us. But there is nothing more significant than knowing the Lord is on our side.
The danger was very real
The psalmist gives several descriptions of the genuine threat they faced. First, people rose against them, and their anger was like a kindled fire. There is a difference in a fire and a kindled fire. I remember as a child, I was asked to kindle the fire in our fireplace to increase the heat. It was a much hotter fire. And in this case, it was like a raging fire. For whatever reason, people have, for years, dealt with their anger towards those who love the Lord. This is because Christ-followers live in a paradigm that is counter to the culture where we live.
The psalmist then gives explicit descriptions of the dangers they faced. “They would have been swallowed up alive” (v.3). “The flood would have swept (them) away; the torrent would have gone over (them); then over (them) would have gone the raging waters. If you’ve ever been in a flood situation, you know that things move and change quickly. Waters rise and destroy all things in its way.
I remember when Hurricane Matthew came through, and the dam near a local golf course broke. Water rushed through the golf course and damaged all things in its way. There was nothing to do except wait for the water to stop. Houses and businesses were flooded, and many ruined. Roads were washed out and needed a quick repair. The psalmist gives us a great picture of trouble and the way it feels when people come against us as we do things for Him. Remember, we are studying the Psalms of Ascent that documents the feelings of those who were headed to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. These people were focused on the Lord and, with great expectation, headed to worship Him.
The protection of God
The psalmist emphatically states that their protection came from the Lord, and it was the Lord who deserved their praise. He wrote, “Blessed be the Lord who has not given us as prey to their teeth” (v.6). Those sojourners escaped like a bird from a snare. It was a close call for the bird, but the bird escaped. He did not escape on his power but by the power and protection of God. Psalm 118:5-6 states, “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” What a fantastic perspective on God’s protection and provision. The psalmist understood that God could have easily given them over but provided protection instead.
Our praise and thanksgiving
The psalmist closes by saying his help is in the name of the Lord. Lord is translated as Yahweh. It is the most frequently used word for God in the Old Testament and is mentioned 700 times in Psalms alone. It is a term that identifies God’s immediate presence with us. The psalmist had a great reason to identify God as Yahweh because the immediate presence was necessary for the help given to Israel. This national psalm of thanksgiving shows us the importance of remembering that God, who made heaven and earth, is always present.
This is such an excellent reminder for us that God is always present in our daily activities and working on our behalf to protect and guide us. We serve a God who cares deeply for us. I know there are times when we mess up, but God doesn’t desert us for our lack of interest in obeying Him. His purpose will always prevail in our lives (Proverbs 19:21).
Some Questions…
- When do you tend to forget about God’s presence and protection in your life?
- Think about the last time you experienced God’s presence and protection. How did you respond? Did you offer passionate thanks?
- How will you change your perspective of God based on this national psalm of praise?