Tuesday 19 May, 2015

1 If the Lord had not been on our side— let Israel say— 2 if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, 3 they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; 4 the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, 5 the raging waters would have swept us away. 6 Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. 7 We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

In reading this Psalm, I realise that my belief regarding God’s favour does not entirely line up with scripture at this point. I admit that for a long time my subconscious sense of the world has been based predominantly on the science of chance and probability in the majority of circumstances. I have always had a sense that God is able to rarely interfere with my existence through miracles, but I admit that I have been walking by sight rather than faith in this.

The view presented by the Psalmist David in this passage clearly shows his understanding of God as being overtly providential- meaning that He is in charge and in control of situations, glad to grant favour on those who He loves and those who love Him.

Not just in this scripture but I believe across the whole of the Bible, there is a theology that is consistently presented that suggests that God grants favour on certain people.

I find that this can be an abrasive perspective to accept, particularly in a society that encourages egalitarianism and equal treatment and equal opportunity for all people!

Lord, help me to reconcile my experiences of life with what Your Scripture teaches, but most of all, help me to truly submit all my beliefs to the authority of Your Word.

Written by Ps. Justin Ware