Psalms 124:1-8
1 A Davidic Song of Ascents. If the LORD had not been on our side—let Israel now say—
2 if the LORD had not been on our side, when men came against us,
3 then they would have devoured us alive, when their anger burned against us.
4 Then the flood waters would have overwhelmed us, the torrent would have flooded over us;
5 the swollen waters would have swept us away.
6 Blessed be the LORD, who did not give us as prey to their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird from the hunter’s trap. The trap has been broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.
What is the meaning of the text? If the LORD had not been with the people of Israel, they would have been completely destroyed. Throughout the history of the people of Israel and even so today, they were attacked by surrounding enemies. When the people of Israel were led by a God fearing judge or king, they had peace and prosperity in their land. God promised His people that if they fear Him and keep the commandments, God will bless and protect His people.
What is the meaning of the passage to my personal context? If God had not been with me personally, I would have been completely destroyed. God blessed Vicky and I with some Oikos (friends that we pray to know Jesus Christ) from high school and university days. The Holy Spirit is stirring my heart to make efforts to connect with them. Through social interactions like BBQ and parties, Vicky and I caught up with our oikos, we listened to what is happening to their lives. Here are a few themes that struck our hearts when we pray for them.
1. Stress and hopelessness in their workplace. Most of our friends are very dissatisfied with their job. They shared that work drains them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They have no time and energy for anything. This is not just happening to our oikos, this is happening in the lives of the brothers and sisters we worship with.
2. Indulgence in harmful activities. During the social time with our oikos, we discussed activities we engage in. Some oikos of mine have a schedule like this: Sleep, work, computer games, and parties involving addictive substances. I do not judge my oikos and I feel sad for them.
3. Type B unbelievers. My oikos are open for purely social events and they are comfortable to open their hearts to us. There are great resistances and fear in them when they sense that we are attempting to share the good news of Jesus Christ to them. Some of them explored and attended churches before. They were left hurt and neglected.
Vicky and I had our difficult moments at our work respectively, but it is nowhere close to the stress and hopelessness that our friends shared. We thank God for the work he provided us. We believe that work is toiling and stressful after the Fall of Adam and Eve, but we do have many moments of joy in our work. There was a time when I sought to indulge in harmful activities before I know Jesus Christ. One harmful activity is call basketball, I would play like 6+ hours a day when I was in school. Today, my knees and ankles are in bad condition. I acknowledge and have personally experience hurt and neglect from church life, but God has placed mentors and other loving brothers and sisters to encourage me to remain in the love of Jesus Christ.
How do I respond to God’s Words today? I acknowledge that apart from the love of Jesus Christ, I would get completely destroyed and be in a similar predicament as my oikos. Vicky and I commit to open our home and time more to LISTEN and be a place and instrument of rest to our oikos. We share how God is blessing and protecting us in a natural manner in our conversation. We show to our oikos the hope we have in Christ through listening and being Jesus Christ to them, giving natural life testimony, praying for them continually, and seeking more prayers from our small group brothers and sisters.