Despite the troubles in your life, have you ever asked “what if” God wasn’t intervening? Fiona explains.
“If the Lord had not been on our side–let Israel say–if the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:1-8).
Recently I’ve heard a few stories about people I know (or know about) who have had fairly miraculous escapes from something that could have been so much worse. Comments have been made that God was watching out for them.
A guy I grew up with drowned, due to a heart attack. Lying face-down in the ocean, his sister noticed him and she and her husband rushed to pull him out. On that same beach were two ICU nurses who immediately set about reviving him and stayed with him till the ambulance arrived. He survived, because of that early intervention.
Psalm 124 begins with the phrase “If the Lord had not been on our side . . .”
It’s a short Psalm, but with such a powerful message and reminder–without God we are nothing. He is our help, our protection–our very life is in Him. The NLT version of V8 says, “our help is from the Lord who made Heaven and earth.”
Do you ever wonder how things might have panned out in your life if God had not been a part of it? What if God wasn’t in control? What difference would it make to whatever illness or injury you now face?
People often ask me how I manage living with chronic pain–and the thing that seems to get them the most is that I have been doing it for so many years.
Were it not for God and my faith in Him–I don’t know how I could. Knowing that God is still in control of my life, that He has a plan–that’s how I face the dailyness of chronic pain (some days better than others!). Believing that one day I’ll understand and know–or see as God sees–the purpose in the pain.
Prayer: Father God, I’m so glad I don’t have to know what life would be like without You. When we don’t always understand why things happen, help us to trust in the knowledge that You have a plan, a purpose, and You are always going to be on our side. Amen.
About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful that God walks each step of her life with her, and that He continues to teach her new things as she learns to live with chronic back pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, and photography, and to share those things with others. You can contact her in the Sunroom, or read more of her writing on her blog there.
Despite things seeming to go wrong, do you ever ask yourself “What if God hadn’t intervened?” How can this change your perspective on His faithfulness and how He watches over you?
This is Clay Crosse singing “It Must Have Been Your Hands.” So many times I believe we are hit hard with unexpected challenges, but later we discover, upon reflection, that God actually was rearranging our circumstances in order to protect us from something we had not yet even seen. When things don’t make sense I always cling to this fact. Hugs, Lisa
Great message Fiona! 🙂
I do often think what if God wasn’t involved in my life & doing those things that I don’t actually see to help me?! However, I can lose sight of this thought & need the reminder of it….. often. So, thank YOU dear friend, for helping to remind me of this. Having faith in God sure gives us soooooo much more hope. No idea how others manage without a relationship with Him!!!
Great verses & an amazing story about your friend’s survival! Praise God for His help for him through those 2 nurses! Lotsoluv Kerryn
Thanks Kerryn 🙂
Even though we still have days that can seem really tough – I’d hate to see them without God helping us and so glad we don’t have to!
Praying for some easier days for you dear friend.
Blessings,
Fiona
Thank you Fiona… OUR HELP IS FROM THE LORD WHO MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH. HARD TO UNDERSTAND why GOD allow this happen to us ; different circumstances . But thank GOD
He is REAL. A LIVING GOD. WE Experience his Gracious Love.
Thank you so much Lisa. I really don’t know why this happen to me.
A simple dream. I don’t have.
But GOD he comfort me. And
I EXPERIENCE GOD. He is REAL!!!
THANK YOU BOTH…
Thanks Venus – so glad we don’t always need to understand, just keep on trusting the One who does.
May God continue to be your comfort.
Blessings,
Fiona
Thank you Fiona!
This really encouraged me. I love where you said, “I’m so glad I don’t have to know what life would be like without You.” Where would we be without hope, help and comfort!? I cannot fathom life without Jesus. Thank you for reminding me of Psalm 124. SO beautiful. God Bless you, Angie
So glad you found this encouraging Angie – and thanks for encouraging me with your comment 🙂
Thinking of someone else I know this week, who doesn’t have that “hope, help and comfort” we share – the death of a loved one (or whatever trial they face) is just so hard.
It is a Psalm I want to keep in mind!
Blessings,
Fiona
I have just recently found this website and devotionals. I have been looking for a long time for something like this. It came across something in Pinterest and I just happened to find it. That was God working in me. You don’t know how much this has helped me. I have been in chronic back pain for 11 years, when I had to have a simple back surgery. People always say, “Once you have one surgery, you will never be the same….” almost pointing a finger at me…. well, I had no choice, I couldn’t walk. However….I’m heading into my 5th surgery in the same place now, 11 years later.
I pray that I will one day know why God has given me this cross to bear. Lately God has been intervening, by putting a new friend into my life who happens to work for the best neurosurgeon in Georgetown. So, I got an appointment the next week, instead of waiting months to see him. She has been an angel to me, both by working me through the “system”, but by listening, coming over for coffee, and just clicking with me!”
Hi Tiffany,
Only just now seeing your comment – but thanks for stopping by and I’m so glad God has helped you find this site and the encouragement it contains for all of us on different, but similar journeys.
Praying for you now, that this surgery will be successful. No fun having to go through surgery so many times – and those unfeeling comments that often come from people who just don’t understand. I’m thankful that God always understands me 🙂
Such a great story of how this new friend has come into your life, probably just when you needed some encouragement.
Blessings,
Fiona
Thanks so much Fiona.
No matter how bad things get [and I’m going thru a slightly bad patch now], I often remind myself of this fact.
How much worse it would be to cope with any of life’s difficulties without our great God beside us.
And I do wonder how people who don’t know him manage.
My heart aches for them especially in times of suffering.
A very wise and godly friend once told me that my “job” was to be a witness to show the difference that God’s strength around me can make to living with suffering.
I fail only too often to show this – but what a difference it makes.
Blessings,
Helen,
another Aussie
Thanks Helen for sharing what your friend said – Something we’d all hope to be living out ☺
Praying that you’ll see God meeting you in your current bad patch and helping you to persevere.
Blessings,
Fiona
Fiona, a bit late in reading hour devotional, but wanted to say it is really FANTASTIC! What a wonderful perspective to reflect on.
Indeed, without God I can’t image walking through the last 13 yrs of my life.
Without Him, there is no hope, nothing to hold onto in this world. But with Him, there can be joy in sorrows, grace and forgiveness!
Thank you friend for this beautiful reminder! Hugs Di
Thanks Di ☺
So glad we don’t have to live without Him – and without our fellow travellers too!
Blessings dear friend,
Fiona