The Psalms have brought tremendous comfort and guidance to so many for so long. Join me in taking a fresh look at each Psalm. As you read through them, I urge you to reflect, pray, and apply these devotional bits of encouragement to your own life. Today, we study and reflect on Psalms 124, 125, and 126.
Reflection 1
Psalm 124 poses an alarming question – what if the Lord was not/is not there for us? That’s a troubling proposition. We have hope with God on our side. With Jesus walking with us, we have assurance. With God fighting for us, we are a majority. Without God, we are hopeless, unsure, and overwhelmed. What if God wasn’t with us? What if He abandoned us? What if He left us and we were alone? That would be a very different picture, wouldn’t it? The exact opposite is true. God is always with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. We are never abandoned or alone. Our help is in the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Give your needs to the Lord today. He is on your side.
“If the Lord had not been on our side— let Israel say— if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” — Psalms 124:1-8
Reflection 2
What does it mean to truly trust in the Lord? I think we can agree that trusting is easier when everything is going well. When we are fine and there are no major problems, trusting is not hard. What about when things are not well? Divorce, cancer, job loss, financial setback, child or family pain. Everything is harder when we face these problems, even trusting. These are the times when our faith is on display. This is when we learn what it means to truly trust. This is when we understand what it means to walk by faith. When we are at the end of ourselves, we experience firsthand the unshakable, enduring, steadfast presence and strength of the Lord. What are you going through today that has you wound tight with anxiety? Turn to the Lord. Trust in Him truly and completely. He will help you. He is unshakable.
“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” — Psalms 125:1-2
Reflection 3
May God give you joy today. If you are weary, may He give you rest. If you are discouraged, may He encourage you. If you are afraid, may He give you the courage to press on. If you are worried, may He grant you peace to rise above. Maybe you are sad, suffering loss, need direction, or simply lack joy. May He give you all that you need for today and more for tomorrow. The joy of the Lord will give us all the strength that we need. As we look to Him, He will turn our sadness into joy and lift us up! When Jesus died on the Cross all seemed lost. Then the stone was rolled away! Resurrection power is available to you in Christ Jesus. Trust in Him today and every day!
“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” — Psalms 126:1-6