Reflection
Hindsight is a wonderful gift that I am still unrealistically hoping for in the midst of difficulty and suffering. It will never happen, yet I, like many people, ponder the question that the prolific psalmist David asks, ‘If the Lord had not been on our side?’ Is this not the greatest ‘what if’ question ever?
On how many occasions have I thought, ‘What if God wasn’t there for me?’ Though hindsight allows me to see God’s workings for me when in the midst of my desperate cries, during the suffering I was blinded by the immensity of my dilemma. Is there anyone better at metaphors than the poetic David? He paints the picture, and we can all place ourselves inside his frame. People attacking us, being swallowed up alive, anger flaring against us, floods engulfing us, torrents sweeping over us and raging waters. We cannot see a way through at the time, as the waves crash over us. There have been too many of those times in my life.
Yet as David then so accurately identifies, ‘We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken and we have escaped’ (Psalm 124:7). We are FREE.
In that moment of release and freedom, I hear a gentle whisper, ‘If the Lord had not been on our side?’ My eyes moisten with the tears of gratitude and thanksgiving, and my emotion laden voice attempts to give God praise but no sound comes. If only I could let God know what my heart is feeling. It is precisely then that I realise he knows, and no words can articulate the unsaid words of my heart. Thank you, Lord, that you were on my side.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for the countless times when you have rescued me. There are times I know you rescued me, but there were many other times you have intervened on this side of heaven I will never know. My heart is filled with such gratitude for all you do for me. Lord God, I thank you for who you are to me. You are my God who I trust with all that I am and all that I have. I trust you for today and all the days ahead that I cannot see yet. I know you love me and care for me beyond words I can articulate here and now. I love you, Lord.