I continue my study of the book of Psalms, and as I reached chapter 124, I found myself lingering on verse 1. The NIV reads:

I have read this verse many times before. Yet today, my heart received it differently.

We are currently in a season where the emphasis is to live a life of thanksgiving. And honestly, that is not always easy.

It is far easier to focus on what we do not have, what is missing, what we still need.

Sometimes, like David does here, we need to stop and count the goodness of God.

When was the last time you stopped to reflect, not on what you still lack, but on what would never have been possible without God’s help?

David pauses and invites the people to reflect. Not on what they accomplished, but on what would have happened if God had not been with them.

“If the Lord had not been on our side…” Then what?

David understood something deeply. Nothing works if the Lord is not with us.

• If the Lord had not been on my side when sickness came.
• If the Lord had not been on my side when fear attacked me.
• If the Lord had not been on my side when I was looking for a job.

As you read these lines, what situation comes to your mind?

• The sickness we are battling could have taken our life if the Lord had not been on our side.
• The job loss could have completely destroyed us if the Lord had not been on our side.
• The death of a loved one, financial challenges, or difficulties with our children could have been the end of our story if God had not been on our side.

Standing.
Breathing.
Still trusting.

God, if You had not been on my side, I would not have what I have today.

I would not be standing.
I would not be sustained.
I would not be here.

He has been faithful. He has been present. He has been on our side.