Psalm 124:2 — "if it had not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us,"

There's going to be opposition. Following Christ is not a smooth ride, and an easy journey. This is warfare.

CH Spurgeon said a soul must be of great value, if God and Satan are both after it. Be sure, the Devil is coming for you by God's permission. 2 Corinthians 12:7, "especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself." God allows Satan to tempt and deceive. He allows him to afflict us, so we can be nothing, leaning upon Christ entirely. Therefore, he uses the desert to humble us, and make us cry out. Psalms 107:4-6, "Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to an inhabited town; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress;"

Too much eating and drinking, and we'll just rise up to play. Too much ease, and we'll forget God. Therefore, God appointed challenges must come, and we conquer them all. Grace proves sufficient. Sustaining grace brings us to heaven.

Bless God for every afflicted saint that's kept by his power. Pray for your brothers and sisters who are tempted just like you. 1 Peter 5:9, "Resist [the Devil], steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering." Learn the lessons of affliction!

Secondly, this is the bottom line: God decided to save us. It had nothing to do with our ability or goodness. It was God's sovereign grace.

Psalm 124:6 — "Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth!"

This is the greatest thing of the gospel - Grace! It's that wonderful thing of God being good to the unworthy, and giving eternal life to the guilty - that he'd give up his Son to save people who hate him… who can't add to his beauty… when he could have easily chosen someone else… is a marvel that we cannot escape. It's an indebtedness to praise.

God saved you because he chose you, predestined you, and then he redeemed you. He called you by irresistible grace, when you SURELY would have perished. He brought you back from destruction, after you despised many chastisements, and spit in his face. Isaiah 57:17-18, "Because of their wicked covetousness I was angry; I struck them, I hid and was angry; but they kept turning back to their own ways. I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will lead them and repay them with comfort, creating for their mourners the fruit of the lips."

He corrected you in love, and used your evil for good. He afflicted you, because he has a good purpose and a gracious end! Jeremiah 29:11," For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope."

Oh, how privileged we are to be saved. It will ring true for all eternity, while the wicked are suffering. God, and God alone, made the difference!

Thirdly, our help is in the name of the Lord - the Almighty of heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:8 — "Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth."

We've got so much power that it's unimaginable, because our power is the Lord - the Creator, Sovereign, and the Judge. No one can stop him. Nothing can hinder his hand. The most desperate situations are easy for him. He raises the dead.

Let your confidence be as great as God. Let not the human doubt the Immortal Sovereign. Don't let your smallness deny his greatness. In fact, our smallness is no obstacle. It's designed to show God's glory. 1 Samuel 2:8, "He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with prince's and inherit a seat of honor."

It's great having the Almighty as your Friend, reconciled through the blood of Christ, ever included in his irresistible promises of grace. You're in the covenant that can't be broken, and salvation is guaranteed. Hebrews 8:12," For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”