Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Whose Side is God On?

Psalm 124 is the fifth psalm of those labels "Psalms of Ascent." After traveling and making it to Jerusalem (120-122), the psalmist begins his worship of God (123), which is why he came to Jerusalem in the first place. In this psalm, he is continuing that worship by recounting how God has helped His people in the past.

Read Psalm 124(NASB, NIV, KJV)

Here is the outline I developed for this psalm. I am happier with this outline than the previous two, but I would still love some comments on them. I would especially like to hear suggestions on making the sub-points of II alliterated. :-)

The Lord is on Our Side

I. God is on the side of His people (1-2)

II. God keeps His people from being... (3-7)
         A. Swallowed (3)
         B. Drowned (4-5)
         C. Prey (6)
         D. Snared (7)

III. God helps His people (8)

A somewhat simple outline with a great message. In today's world, it is popular for the lost to say things like "God is not on anyone's side" or "God does not pick sides" but this is just not the truth. God IS on the side of those who have placed their faith in Christ and are called His people.

How many times have we felt like we have been swallowed by some problem overtaking us. Or that we are drowning in the issues of everyday life. How often do we feel like we have become prey to those who would want to harm us because we carry the name of Christ. Or that someone is trying to snare us, to cause us to fall and do harm to the name of our God. God keeps us from this. If you doubt this, read 1 Corinthians 10:13, where it says that God temptation to overcome us (and that would include the temptation to lose faith in God in the midst of trying circumstances).


I think a hymn that captures the essence of this psalm may be "God Will Take Care of You" (click to listen).

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.

God will take care of you,
Through every day, over all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.

Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.

God will take care of you,
Through every day, over all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.

All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you.

God will take care of you,
Through every day, over all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.

No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.

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