SERIES: Songs of Ascents
TEXT: Psalm 124
MESSAGE: “Holding on till the end”
Q: Have you ever felt like giving up?
TEXT: Psalm 124
“As a psalm of David, this gives us a rare insight into the early peril of his kingdom, particularly from the Philistines, who had thought to see the last of Israel when they shattered the kingdom of Saul. 2 Samuel 5:17ff. shows how serious the threat was, and how little confidence David placed in his own power to survive it. This was no mere raid to gain territory: it was meant to put an end to David and the hope of Israel.” – Derek Kidner
“From Psalm 124 God’s people see that he uses yesterday’s troubles to build in them trust for today and tomorrow. They learn through the traumas of life that they can trust the Lord. When they are weak, the Lord is strong. When they are perplexed, the Lord is wise. When they feel defeated, the Lord grants them deliverance.” — Daniel J. Estes
Q: Have you ever felt like giving up? How can we keep going? By…(1. Remembering God’s faithfulness 2. Facing real dangers 3. Experiencing unexpected breakthrough)
(1) Remembering God’s faithfulness (v. 1)
“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—let Israel now say…”
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:4-7
(2) Facing real danger (v. 2-6)
“…if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, 3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; 4 then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; 5 then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth!”
“The psalmist includes word pictures for the Lord’s deliverance, characterizing the forces that vainly sought to destroy Israel: a devouring beast (v. 3), a torrential flood (v. 4), another devouring beast (v. 6), and a hunter’s net (v. 7). These images should stimulate gratitude and praise for our salvation. As believers in Jesus Christ, we have been delivered from the threat of death and hell. We have come to know this great salvation in an even fuller sense. We have also enjoyed “smaller deliverances” throughout our Christian pilgrimages. We should, therefore, reflect on what God has done for us and then apply the past to present experiences. In fact, one of the ways you get through your present trials is by reflecting on the fact that your greatest problem has already been solved through the death and resurrection of Jesus.” — Daniel L. Akin
(3) Experiencing unexpected outcomes (v. 7-8)
“We have escaped like 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.”
“This is the testimony of believers who have found themselves not simply threatened but actually trapped (v. 7). But somehow, not by their own doing, the snare has been broken. God has done it; if 123 was a distress psalm, 124 is a power psalm. In that is our confidence. How could the God who created all things (v. 8) be defeated by a bird-catcher’s snare? Still more, as the New Testament will add, how could the God who redeemed us by the gift of his Son, ‘not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” — Michael Wilcock
“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:8-9
“David’s example, in looking to the Maker, not to things made, seems to have inspired a later pilgrim (121:2); but the mention of the name may be an echo of his own Psalm 20:7, where this invisible aid is shown to be more real and more potenthan the most advanced equipment of the day. It is the lesson of the whole psalm.” – Derek Kidner
“Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” — Psalm 20:6-7
“You don’t realize Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.” — Timothy Keller
TAKEAWAYS:
- Remember that God is always faithful
- Real dangers are all around us
- Recommit yourself to God’s ending — “…everyday, without exception, we need to be reminded where history is heading. For we’re forgetful and fearful people…History is the unfolding story of your commitment to redeem…and make all things new through the work of your Son, Jesus. This outcome isn’t merely a great possibility or a grand probability but a covenantal certainty.” — Scotty Smith