Scripture Text (NRSV)

Psalm 124
 

124:1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side--let Israel now say--

124:2 if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us,

124:3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us;

124:4 then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us;

124:5 then over us would have gone the raging waters.

124:6 Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth.

124:7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped.

124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

 

Comments:

I faced what would become three brain surgeries. The standard joke here is: "It sure took them a long time to find it, pea-brain!" The surgeon showed up in my room the day before the first procedure and asked if I were scared. I said that I was not afraid of the surgery, but I was concerned about what memory or brain process I might lose. He said, "Preacher, read Psalm 124! The Lord is on your side!" That was the grain of grace I needed to go on! Re: Mark 9: 42: He took the stumbling block I had placed in my own path and pulverized it with Psalm 124!

The result of those surgeries? I was healed of epilepsy! Our help is in the name of he Lord!

Ephesians 3: 14 ~ 21,

Oklahoma Irishman

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I am struggling so much with these verses and with the James reading. I read psalm 124 and can't help but think of those recovering from Hurricane Isabel. Living in FLA we lived for a few days thinking we were in the hurricane's path - then were relieved when we were not. Does that mean our prayers were answered? That the Lord is on our side? But what about the folks where the 'cane hit? Is God not on their side? Now add to that the verses in James... Elijah praying for drought and then for rain. Are hurricanes "acts of God?" No, I don't think so. Does God cause illnesses? Punish us with diseases? No. I can barely stand all the cognitive disonance in the texts for this week.... "Are any of you suffering?" Amma in FL