If It Had Not Been for the Lord

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel now say—“If it had

not been the Lord who was on our side, . . .” (Psalm 124:1 & 2, NKJV)

The Psalmist in this psalm takes a retrospective look back over Israel’s history and

where the nation would have been had it not been for God’s blessings and

protection. He begins the Psalm with “If it had not been for the Lord . . .” to get

Israel to see what would have happened if God had not loved and cared for them.

Every now and then we too should take a few minutes to look back over our lives

and ponder this same statement, “If it had not been for the Lord.” You see, too

often we are so focused on what we want, what we want to do, the hindrances, our

needs and our wants, until we forget to just thank God for what He has already

done and what He has kept us from. Where would you be if God had not

intervened in your situation? What would have happened had God not made a way

when you could not find a way? How often have you been at your very last and

God, “somehow” made a way?

The fact is, all of us have something to thank the Lord for. Today, bless and

encourage yourself. Take a few minutes, look back over your life as you reflect

upon the statement of the Psalmist, IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE LORD.