On The Winning Side - Psalm 124

When it comes to sport, as Scots, we are not unfamiliar with being on the losing side which is probably why our national anthem refers to a battle we won some 700 years ago! But it was a significant victory and belting out “Flower of Scotland” helps bring that victory back to mind, even if most of us are fuzzy on the finer details of the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314!

It’s not surprising then that Israel cheerfully belted out Psalm 124, a song of ascent in their pilgrimage up to worship in Jerusalem. But what battle were Israel recalling as they sung this song?

Theoretically it could have been any number of battles, noting this was written by David. But one battle was imprinted in the genetic memory of the nation of Israel. It was the battle that secured their freedom and right to exist as a nation. It was of course the Exodus; a battle between the serpentine ruler Pharaoh and Yahweh himself.

400 long years under terrible oppression and cruelty, the freed Israelites must have been pinching themselves…this was the stuff of dreams. Yet it seemed to be real, they were walking free… and their outbound journey sponsored by their previous slave-owners! No more under brutal tyranny and forced hard labour. The children laughed, and skipped. Smiling parents boldly walked free, casting a cautious glance over their shoulder…it seemed too good be true.

As they walked towards this glorious hope for a different future, free from evil oppression, Israel’s anxious glance backwards was not entirely unjustified. Absolutely enraged that his free workforce had walked off the job for good, Pharaoh is as mad as a cut snake and summons his army to hunt Israel down and bring them back to slavery.

In the bible the Exodus event gives us a picture of the gospel freedom we have from our slavery to sin. A rescue initiated and completed by Jesus Christ. So for those who have tasted the freedom of recovery and a life free from the enslaving chains of alcohol and drugs, the thought of returning to that life is unbearable. And like the Israelites, a priority for those in recovery is the reminder we need not to forget the danger left behind.

Remember the Danger

Like a tense thriller movie, just when you start to relax; and thought the baddie was surely unable to cause any more carnage… suddenly they rise to inflict more blows. Israel looks behind them to behold a terrifying scene; Pharaoh’s impressive and mighty army were bearing down upon them and the outcome seemed inevitable. Though redeemed by God’s great power from slavery to sin, addicts too can feel the same sense of utter helplessness when the old desire to drink or use returns with a vengeance. But as we will learn from this Psalm, defeat is not inevitable.

David knew the importance of remembering the fear of his forebears on that day. We too know the importance of “remembering what you dare not forget” which is where David begins, but how does he help us keep the memory alive in a helpful way?

Remember the Deliverer

The phrase “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side” is a massive spoiler alert…David is starting with the result. Job done, battle won, secret weapon; God (Yahweh) on our side!

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side –

Let Israel now say –

If it has not been the Lord who was on our side –

When people rose up against us”

David doesn’t want to start off with the shock factor; the horror of turning around to see the enemy ready to devour you whole. He wants to start with the victory note. This battle is in the past. And was decisively won by God. And notice he is asking for the Flower of Scotlandequivalent to be belted out. “Let Israel now say.” This recall is not morbid, unhealthy introspection into past events. No, this is a call to remember that had not God been on their side, the result would have been catastrophic.

Now with the reminder that the battle has already been won, for us, by Christ’s death and resurrection, we can face even seemingly overpowering sinful desires and rejoice that in Christ, we have the power to resist. For Israel; it looked hopeless. The vast foreboding Red Sea before them, and the angry, malevolent force of Pharaoh’s army behind them, getting closer.

Verse 3 & 4

“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”

Can we feel their terror?  Can we feel their utter helplessness and sense of impending doom? (for those in addictions, in the face of such overpowering desires). Defeat seems inevitable.  Israel were being asked to walk into the sea; a symbol of chaos and unknown forces that threatened utter destruction. Perhaps they viewed the wall of water on either side of their path and imagined how this flood of water would inevitably crush them and sweep them away. If it didn’t kill them with force, it certainly would by submersion. And if that wasn’t what would finish them off, it would surely be the teeth of their enemies ready to pounce and swallow alive (v3 & 6).

Rejoice in and recount God’s deliverance

 But then David brings his hearers back to reality. That which seemed so certain to destroy didn’t happen. Why?

V 6 “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!”

A terrifying scene; but the Lord in his sovereignty did not allow it. And just like a weak, fluttering bird that is suddenly free from a snare or trap, so Israel was free to remember, rejoice in and recount this astonishing deliverance.

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (v8)

David looks to the all-powerful, loving, faithful, covenant-keeping Creator as the secret to success in battle. For those who have previously been ensnared by addiction, the road to recovery is not without many snares. We do have an enemy who wants to re-recruit us back onto his team. In our own strength, we will struggle. We may have felt the victory of sobriety or staying clean from drugs, only to relapse and find ourselves stuck once more.

 Today we must look to Christ, “who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb 4:15b-16). He is ready, willing and able to help us in our battle with sin, no matter how overpowered or weak we feel, renewing confidant hope for the future.