I get the “why?” question. I have a certain appreciation for looking to heaven when everything in my life on earth is feeling upside down and asking, “How come you let this happen? Can’t you intervene and make it stop?” But I also know that, for the child of God, on the other side of trouble and trial there is a perspective born and an insight given concerning the presence and power of our God . . . our God who is “a very present help” and “a stronghold in times of trouble” (Ps. 9:9, 46:1). Reading Psalm 124 captured some of that insight this morning . . .

“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side–let Israel now say–if it had not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters.” (Psalm 124:1-5 ESV)

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side . . . say it you people of God . . . if it had not been the Lord who was on our side! How awe-invoking is that realization? How comforting is that thought? Instead of asking, “Why!” shouldn’t I instead be saying, “Wow?!”

It’s not if we have trials and troubles, it’s when . . . and how deep . . . and how long . . . “In the world you will have tribulation” (Jesus, John 16:33). The psalmist didn’t ask why people rose up against them . . . it wasn’t about questioning the floods that could have swept them away . . . or the torrent that could have consumed them . . . or the raging waters in which they might have drowned. Instead, he reflects, if the Lord hadn’t been our side . . . we would have never made it through . . . we would never have escaped.

“Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!” (Psalm 124:6-7 ESV)

Escaped . . . slipped away . . . preserved . . . delivered. It wasn’t about avoiding the trial it was about getting through. David was face to face with the predator but given as prey . . . we had been snared by the fowlers, but the snare was broken and the way of escape was provided. And why? Because the Lord was on his side. Yes, in this world we will have tribulations, but, praise God, Jesus has overcome this world (John 16:33) . . . and He is on my side.

Why would God be on my side? That’s the “why” question I should be asking. Why would the God whose ways are so much higher than my ways and whose thoughts are so much higher than my thoughts concern Himself at all with my struggles? . . . much less draw alongside to help me get through? It certainly isn’t because of my merit or worth . . . but solely because of His grace and sovereign determination to complete the work He has begun in me . . . because of His divine wisdom and purpose in seeking to be magnified and glorified in and through my life . . . that glory sometimes being realized in and through the life overwhelmed by flood waters. And it is when we have escaped, that the perspective is born and the glory given . . .

“Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 124:8 ESV)

And that’s the “Wow!” The Lord who made heaven and earth is my help. Almighty, eternal God is for me. And, “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

Oh that I might not be consumed by the “Why?” and led more to be awestruck by the “Wow!” . . . for His praise and for His glory . . . amen.

Got a few more minutes? Click here to enjoy some vintage Talleys singing about the “Wow!”