If the Lord had not been on our side… (Psalm 124:1, NIV)
Some of us tend to worry: What if my husband dies? What if I lose my job? What if the test is positive? Psalm 124 shows us how to use this to our advantage. The next time you find yourself going over the “what ifs” of worry, try switching to the “what ifs” of faith.
David is applying the “what ifs” of faith: “What if the Lord had not been on our side?” What if God were not with me? What if Christ had not died for me? What if my eternal future was in doubt?
The “what ifs” of faith focus attention on the reality of your situation: God is with you. He will never forsake you. Christ has died for you. Your eternal future is safe in his hand. You are a new creation in Christ. The Holy Spirit dwells in you. If these things were not true, you might be overwhelmed, but they are true and in times of trouble you need to affirm them.
Paul says, “Think of what you were” (1 Cor. 1:26). Why does Paul remind Christians of what we used to be? Is this a ploy to make us feel bad? Of course not. He reminds us of what we were without Christ so we will see that we are in an entirely different situation with Christ.
Practice the “what ifs” of faith. If the Lord had not been on our side, we would have been swept away. Yes, but God is with you. God is for you. And nothing in life, death, or eternity can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus your Lord.
Where do you need to replace the “what ifs” of worry with the “what ifs” of faith?
