Psalm 124 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 124 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1If it had not been the Lord who was on our side-let Israel now say-
Verse 2if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us,
Verse 3then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us;
Verse 4then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us;
Verse 5then over us would have gone the raging waters.
Verse 6Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth.
Verse 7We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
Verse 8Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Text for the Oct. 18 festival of Luke the Evangelist
Devotion
Years ago, I was assigned to teach in about 70 congregations. One Sunday after torrential downpours, I set off on foot to the next village across the river. Unknown to me, the river was deeper and the waves stronger than they appeared. First it was to my knees, then my hips. Suddenly, I was swallowed up. I was at the point of death – but thanks to God, I made it across. I cannot explain how I escaped death except that it was the Lord’s doing.
The psalmist compared Israel’s enemies to raging waters. Convinced of God’s deliverance, he praises God and expresses trust for the future.
It may be that you are also struggling with situations that threaten to overwhelm you. Remember one thing – the Lord will not give you up as prey. Through the resurrection of Christ who promises to be with his friends, even “death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54b).
Prayer
Lord, sometimes we lose hope as a result of the torrents of life. Our help is in you. Please help us to trust your saving grace through Jesus Christ. Amen.