The Bible presents a vivid demonstration of God's faithfulness and grace. He birthed the Jewish nation out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Though they rebelled against Him and served other gods, He was faithful to them and would not destroy His inheritance. God's presence led and dwelt among His people, and He protected, provided, and cared for them continually. He brought them into the land He promised them and drove out their enemies before them. When God sent prophets to instruct His people they provoked Him to anger with their sin. He allowed them to be scattered and brought into captivity in Babylon, but by His grace brought them out again and established them in the land according to His promise.
King David wrote Psalm 124 as the nation of Israel reached a zenith as a notable kingdom long before the destruction of Jerusalem or captivity in Babylon. The words recorded were valid then, after captivity, and even to this day. Psalm 124:1-8 reads, "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side," let Israel now say--2 "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us,3 then they would have swallowed us alive, when their wrath was kindled against us; 4 then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; 5 then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul." 6 Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. 7 Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth." God delivered the children of Israel from the Egyptians through the Red Sea and brought them into Canaan across the swollen Jordan river. He brought them out not to destroy them but to save them and bring them into a glorious inheritance.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, today we can enter into the good inheritance God has prepared for us. We were cursed by sin and heading for eternal destruction, yet Jesus has come to set the captives free. He has not given us as a prey to the teeth of Satan who seeks as a lion to devour and destroy. I love the description of verse 7: "Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped." Not only have we been delivered, but the snare is broken. What held us fast is ruined and impotent. Sin and death, our mortal enemies, have been crushed and will never regain power over our souls. Death truly has no sting because death has been swallowed up in the victory of Jesus Christ who gives abundant and eternal life to all who believe.
Praise the LORD the snare is broken, but let us not be confident in our flesh. Those who tout their freedom can return to bondage through legalism and disobedience. Galatians 5:1 reads, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." It is through walking in the Spirit we avoid the snare of the lust of the flesh. Paul went on to say in Galatians 5:13, "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Liberty is not the freedom to do whatever I want, but the ability to do what pleases God. Our help is in the LORD who made heaven and earth. Praise the LORD who has called us out of darkness and into His marvellous light!
King David wrote Psalm 124 as the nation of Israel reached a zenith as a notable kingdom long before the destruction of Jerusalem or captivity in Babylon. The words recorded were valid then, after captivity, and even to this day. Psalm 124:1-8 reads, "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side," let Israel now say--2 "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us,3 then they would have swallowed us alive, when their wrath was kindled against us; 4 then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; 5 then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul." 6 Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. 7 Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth." God delivered the children of Israel from the Egyptians through the Red Sea and brought them into Canaan across the swollen Jordan river. He brought them out not to destroy them but to save them and bring them into a glorious inheritance.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, today we can enter into the good inheritance God has prepared for us. We were cursed by sin and heading for eternal destruction, yet Jesus has come to set the captives free. He has not given us as a prey to the teeth of Satan who seeks as a lion to devour and destroy. I love the description of verse 7: "Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped." Not only have we been delivered, but the snare is broken. What held us fast is ruined and impotent. Sin and death, our mortal enemies, have been crushed and will never regain power over our souls. Death truly has no sting because death has been swallowed up in the victory of Jesus Christ who gives abundant and eternal life to all who believe.
Praise the LORD the snare is broken, but let us not be confident in our flesh. Those who tout their freedom can return to bondage through legalism and disobedience. Galatians 5:1 reads, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." It is through walking in the Spirit we avoid the snare of the lust of the flesh. Paul went on to say in Galatians 5:13, "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Liberty is not the freedom to do whatever I want, but the ability to do what pleases God. Our help is in the LORD who made heaven and earth. Praise the LORD who has called us out of darkness and into His marvellous light!
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