February 5th - Psalm 124:8

Be Still and Know Daily Bible Devotion

Psalm 124:8

I wonder if you ever have “What if” conversations. You know the sort of thing: What if I had had a different career? What if I had gone to a different school? What if we had moved to a different town? In this psalm, David reflected on an even bigger question. He began the psalm with the question: “What if the Lord had not been on our side?” As the pilgrims made their way up to Jerusalem, he encouraged them to reflect on how terrible life would have been if God had not been on their side. He reflected that the people who had attacked them would have swallowed them alive in their burning anger. “The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us” (Psalm 124:4).

It might seem a strange thing to do, but perhaps all of us, from time to time, should stand back from life and just imagine what it would be like if God had not been with us. It seems to me that this should fuel two responses. Firstly, it should strengthen our gratitude for all that God has done for us. It is so easy for us to take God for granted. Especially if we have been Christians for many years, it might be incredibly difficult to imagine what life would be like without the Lord. But in pursuing those “what if” thoughts, it might help us to realise afresh how incredibly blessed we have been. David concluded his psalm by declaring: “Our help is from the Lord; who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:8). What an incredible security to have, to know that the creator of the world is helping you!

But there is another reason why it is good to have “what if” thoughts. They can help us to focus our thoughts and prayers on those around us who do not know the Lord. They live their days without the security of knowing of God’s love and care. They look to the future with no hope or confidence. Let’s allow our “what if” thinking to spur us into praying with greater love and intensity for all those we know who have yet to find living faith in God.

QUESTION

What would your life be like if you hadn’t given your life to Christ?

PRAYER

Loving God, thank you for the security that you have given me, for time and eternity. Amen