“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;”

If not for the Lord, then the horrors and bondage of sin would have swallowed us up. We'd be overcome, and there'd be no uprising. Satan deceives us with temptations, but God turns him back, humbles us, and overcomes the trap. Psalms 124:7, “We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped.” God's grace is greater than our sin and our propensity to it. He delivers with a warning, when he could have given us complete loss. “As chastened, and yet not killed.” He shows he loves us with his everlasting love.

First, God's love is diminished, because people think it's common. Yes, he loves all and preaches sincerely to all. He has however, a special love upon the elect that delivers us, and no matter our sinfulness, he refuses to let us perish. No matter the assaults of Satan, he brings us to green pastures and still waters. He hates the worker of iniquity and hardens most of mankind. Upon us, however, he intervenes in grace.

Let us thank him and love him. Tell of his goodness. Don't point people to themselves. Talk up the Lord always for his covenant mercies. Preach distinguishing grace that makes us to differ. He made a distinction between Israel and Egypt. Exodus 11:5-7, “Every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the female slave who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the livestock. Then there will be a loud cry throughout the whole land of Egypt, such as has never been or will ever be again. But not a dog shall growl at any of the Israelites—not at people, not at animals—so that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.” Talk up his love that saves.

Secondly, it was all God, and nothing else. “If it had not been for the Lord.” It was not our natural propensity. It wasn't years of learning or prior grace. It was grace for the moment of need, God's present help, day by day.

Trust him, saints. Pour out your sorrows. Believe the gospel when afflicted. Don't despair and give up. He delivers us, so he can be praised. He intervenes to show his glory. Bless his name, and believe his gospel.

Thirdly, deliverance is sweet! Oh, the joy of knowing God in nearness. The joy of prayer and access. Pardon is a blessing that clears the conscience. Guilt, confusion, and shame should be our portion, but we have rejoicing. Powerlessness ought to clothe us, but we are strengthened. Praise God. Praise him among the saints, and tell sinners of his glory. Love, because you are loved. Praise, because you have Someone to praise, sincerely from your heart. Do good, because you have everything.

We have the joy of the Lord, and it is sweet. It takes away sorrow and bitterness. It frees the conscience, and puts healing in our wings. It makes us run and leap with joy, dancing with the Father. Acts 3:8, “Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.” It delivers us from the burden. It thrills the soul.

Finally, the joy of the Lord is your strength, so rejoice! Don't be ashamed. Take your portion. The Lord's blood has paid, and God's grace has given it, which magnifies his glory, and displays his Son. How could God's grace be magnified, if he was stingy or callous? It could not. The glory of God is in the gospel, and it must be marvelously full of generosity and kindness. It must be greater than tongue can describe, and unimaginable. It must be above our comprehension in its goodness. It must be gloriously gracious! 2 Corinthians 3:8, “how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?”