There is a popular song in the Baptist faith tradition that states, “We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in His holy word, He never failed me yet, singing oh, oh, oh, can’t turn around, we come this far by faith.” As I reflect on the road that I have traveled by faith, I can’t help recognize that it was also by His grace.
Psalm 124:1-5 NLT states, “What if the Lord had not been on our side? Let all Israel repeat: What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us? They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us. Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives.”
Psalm 124:1-5
This is a powerful scripture because if you are like me, I give myself too much credit for making things that happen in my life happen. But if I honestly assess the situation, I couldn’t keep myself healthy, employed, prosperous, or from falling into temptation. It has been by grace that I have been able to do all these things. Illnesses that have taken the lives of others have had minimal effects on me and my family. There is nothing that I can credit that allowed my outcome to be different than anyone else’s. But I am thankful to God for that outcome and I don’t take His provision for granted. The scripture outlined that our enemies would have swallowed us alive and the waters [trials and tribulations] would have engulfed us, but guess what? We are still standing. Those events from childhood did not take us out…Grace. The workplace bully did not run us from a position we otherwise Love…Grace. The bad relationship decisions did not overtake us…Grace. Thank you Lord for your Grace!
The scriptures goes on to say in verses 6-8, “Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalms 124:6-8 NLT) Freedom comes when you release yourself from being the fixer and look to the author and finisher of our faith to allow things to work together for your good.
Have you ever felt like you have been pinned down, trapped as if they have no way out. The cares of life has wore you down and you have exhausted all of your options. When things feel uncontrollably out of control. What should you do when you find yourself in situations such as these? My friend I suggest that you find a way out through Gods divine wisdom. The trap that has been set for you will be unable to prosper. Our help comes from the Lord who made the heavens and the earth. The enemy has tried to bring you down but God will supply our needs. This is one of His many promises. He heard our prayers and will deliver us from out of the snares of the enemy. He got us over before and will continue to bring us through. We often feel entitled, however we don’t deserve God’s goodness. He gives it to us freely. So if you are going through any difficulty, you can stand on God promises of divine wisdom that will aid you in working out whatever you going through. Don’t give up, don’t give in. Keep pressing toward your goals cause He sees all the work of your hand and will guide you through the process!
Empowered to WIN 