“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
when people rose up against us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
the raging waters.
Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped!
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:1-8
“Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26
“If God is for us, who can be against us?.. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?..
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31,35,37-39
This sin-stained world has, since Eden, tainted every thought, every effort, every interaction. Our inheritance from Adam fixes us among enemies of body and mind, those who oppose God and inclinations that oppose holiness. Our flesh battles with desires that both want and abhor coincidentally, leaving us in a stew of wretched. If not the Lord, then who? Who can deliver us from the body of death, and the pursuing enemy? Who can help in the battle against evil forces, guard us from despair and depraved affections, keep us safe in Christ’s love? (Romans 5:12; 7:24-25)
If not the Lord, then who? Who would defend a sinner like me before God on High? (Romans 8:31-34)
If not the Lord, then who? Who would be my shepherd, my help and shield? (Psalm 23:1-3; 28:7; John 10:11-15)
If not the Lord, then who? Who would satisfy my deepest longing to be known, my spiritual thirst and soul hunger? (Jeremiah 31:3; John 4:14; 6:27,32-33,47,51; 7:37-38)
If not the Lord, then who? Who could expose and relieve my hidden sins? Who could redeem my wasted time, my failures, my shame? (Psalm 51:1-12; 139:23-24; Joel 2:25)
If not the Lord, then who? If not for His great love we would be consumed, forsaken, without hope. (Isaiah 62:3-5,12; Lamentations 3:19-23)
But we have the Lord! He is on our side! The blessed One has freed and saved us! He lives to intercede for us! He helps and guides and ever abides! Why do we faint? What causes fear? Where are we insecure, or uncertain? God is our sustenance and portion, the strength of our heart! The LORD, He is God, and is for us! (1 Kings 18:39)
Lord, cause me to find my help in You, the only one worthy of my trust and praise. (1 Chronicles 17:20; Isaiah 45:5)
As the rain and snow 