If It Had Not Been The LORD

(Psalms 124:1-8)  If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;   2  If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:  3  Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:  4  Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:  5  Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.  6  Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. 7  Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.  8  Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.  

                        

              In Psalm 124 above, we find the title of this devotional in the second verse.  Do understand that David’s context was Israel.  However, we as Christians can receive a lesson from this Psalm.  

              When I look back on my life since my college days, and consider where I was and look at where I am, I know “If it had not been the LORD” no telling where I would be today.  I could be burning an eternal burn in the pits of hell.  On the other hand, I could be lying in a drunken stupor somewhere.

              We all may be able to look back and see where we were headed if it hadn’t been for the Holy Spirit guiding us away from the gates of hell.  “If it had notbeen the LORD” all of us would be without hope.  We each would be stumbling around, struggling, and attempting to work (to better ourselves for not.)

              I thank God for what He has done for my wife, our family, and me.  I stop and think about the people of our town, and how so many appear to be going nowhere, and it appears they are on the same road I traveled.

              I read where Barna Research Group tells us, “If a person does not accept Jesus Christ as Savior before the age of 14, the likelihood of ever doing so is slim.”  This is why juvenile Sunday School, Discovery Clubs, and programs to reach those prior to the seventh grade are so important.  We must teach them in their formative years.  

              The liberalization of the public school curriculum will turn their hearts away from the narrow road to the broad way.

(Matthew 7:13-4)  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

They will only be taught the secular way, and Christianity will be debunked as another mythical tale that men have created.  The devil has already changed people’s eyes to view another version of a perverted bible.

              There was a time God’s Word was sanctified, honoured, and given precedence over law.  Only in the fundamental circles is that still true.

              We need to protect God’s children, teach them about God and His Holy Son Jesus, and then lead them to the Lord.  Encircle them with not only our love, but also the love of God.  Protect them from the horrifying flames of hell.  We cannot protect them from sin and its horrors; however, we can lead them away from hell.                                            

Bro John R. E Chastain