EDENVALE BAPTIST - 13 JULY 2008 THE LORD SENT HELP PSALM 124

The psalm is about someone under life threatening attack but who has experienced deliverance from it. It is a triumphant song, a song of escape. God’s people are always under attack. In context speaking of physical attack from Israel’s enemies all around them but can be applied to us as Christians, our enemies are encamped around us today.

WHOSE SIDE IS GOD ON?

Not Natural Man
Invoking God’s Name to their cause. Political powers. Throughout history men have claimed that God was on their side – both sides of a war. Suicide bombers do it in God’s name. History is strewn with men who believed God was behind their cause. Afrikaner nationalism; Black power; White power - Klu Klux Klan; David Koresh; Jim Jones; Charles Manson.

On the side of right. But who is right? We all think we are right. God told me to do it…some murderers claim. Martyrs give their lives for a cause which they believe is right. We are always right in our own eyes, but scripture says though you…give your bodies to the flames but have not love, gain nothing (1Cor 13). Christian martyrs didn’t take their own lives for a cause, their lives were taken for the cause of God. God is right, always right. When we join Him we are on His side and as a result He is on our side. We are right in God’s eyes when we are “in Christ” and thereby righteous.

On the side of His people
Israel = people of God. True Jews inwardly. Rom 2:28-29. People in Christ – not a people of certain political persuasion. Not a national; social or geographical group. Faith in Christ has put us in God’s favour. If God is for us who can be against us?
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:31).

On the side of those “in Christ”
Whatever nationality; sex or economic position. God is for us not against us. That is the essential message of the cross, the gospel, the good news. Only “in Christ” is he for us. Gal 3:26-29…You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek(gentile); slave nor free; male nor female, for you are all one in Christ. Arab or American, rich or poor, male or female. People of different social, economic or national distinctions. Supernatural re-birth through the Spirit of Almighty God which changes our perspective on people forever. Do good to your enemies, pray for those who despicably use you etc. If you are outside of Christ you remain an enemy of God and are under his wrath…by nature objects of wrath (Eph 2:3b).

God is for you…on your side…in Christ. Sing the song of deliverance, your enemy has been vanquished.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Read through the psalm and reflect on it together. Pay attention to the various pictures that are used to describe the nature of the attack on Israel.
• Think of the privilege of being on God’s side. Being righteous through Christ.
• Share ways where the Lord has delivered you personally from the attack of the enemy. Also share your personal testimony of how you came to Christ.