Songs of the Great Ascent - How The Church Still Exists

Psalm 124

“In the cockpit of every commercial airliner there is a flight data recorder that runs on a thirty-minute loop taping the words of the pilot and crew as they talk to each other and to the control tower. The so-called black box is a prime piece of evidence when the causes of plane crashes are investigated. If you listen to the words of the pilot of US Airways Flight 1549 when it was forced to make an emergency landing in the Hudson River on January 15, 2009, you can hear remarkable calm, professionalism, and expertise in the face of extreme danger. In that particular case, all turned out well and it has been called ‘the most successful ditching in aviation history.’” (Josh Moody in Journey to Joy: The Psalms of Ascent.)

All of us face danger daily. There are physical, emotional, spiritual, and vocational challenges. As Moody observed, “this psalm is the flight data recorder of the church facing danger.” What do we hear?

The church continually faces spiritual attacks and hardships, but with the Lord on our side, danger does not have to end in defeat. Psalm 124 reminds us that God is the one who rescues His people from danger.

Psalm 120 starts with a call for help. Psalm 121 takes the step of looking up to God. Psalm 122 moves toward God’s people. Psalm 123 asks God for mercy. Here, Psalm 124 rejoices that such help was found. “This flight data recorder is a song of praise because the church’s faith proved real, more real even than danger from people around” (Moody). When danger comes, God is the one who rescues.

Against the backdrop of terror, darkness, and danger, we rejoice that the Israelites received a mighty and thrilling deliverance. Even though their future at times looked bleak, God provided an escape. God was on their side.

But what if God was not on their side? The wording of the psalm indicates if God was not on their side, then they really would have been crushed. The implication is that we, too, would be crushed. But if the Lord is fighting for you, then you have nothing to fear. Then you will not be consumed. Then you will be more than a conqueror.

I hope you are able to join us this Sunday as we look at a mighty deliverance of God’s people. Maybe you can invite someone to come along with you to hear the hope God provides. See you Sunday.

More than conquerors,

Pastor Wayne