1 If the Lord hadn’t been for us—
let Israel now repeat!—
2 if the Lord hadn’t been for us,
when those people attacked us
3 then they would have swallowed us up whole
with their rage burning against us!
4 Then the waters would have drowned us;
the torrent would have come over our necks;
5 then the raging waters would have come over our necks!
6 Bless the Lord
because he didn’t hand us over
like food for our enemies’ teeth!
7 We escaped like a bird from the hunters’ trap;
the trap was broken so we escaped!
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
Reflection
Advent is a season of waiting, hope, and anticipation—but it’s also a time when the weight of the world can press in on us. The days grow shorter, schedules fill up, and our longing for peace grows stronger. The Christmas season often brings added financial strain, too. With the cost of living rising, even everyday necessities can feel burdensome. Add the extra expenses of the holidays, and at times it may feel as though the pressures of life are threatening to swallow us whole.
We may find ourselves surrounded by pressures—expectations, uncertainties, fears. And yet, in moments like these, Psalm 124 offers us a grounding truth: we are not alone.
In this psalm of deliverance, David reminds Israel that if the Lord had not been on their side, they would never have survived the dangers they faced. Their enemies would have overtaken them. But instead, they “escaped like a bird from the hunters’ trap”—not because of their own strength or skill, but because God broke the trap for them..
During Advent, we look to the God who came near—the One who stepped into our pressure-filled world as a vulnerable child. The same Lord who stood beside Israel stands beside us today. When responsibilities feel heavy, when our future feels uncertain, or when the pressures of life tighten around us, this psalm invites us to pause and remember: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
God’s faithfulness in the past gives us courage for the future. The mighty hand that parted the waters and shattered the snare for the people of Israel is still very much at work in our lives today. Advent reminds us that God not only comes to rescue us, but remains with us—strengthening us to endure, to hope, and to overcome.
by Manny Estevez
For Pondering and Prayer
- Where do you feel pressure closing in on you this season?
- How has God been “on your side” in the past?
- How might hope in Christ steady your heart this Advent?
Prayer: Faithful and steadfast God, strengthen us when we feel the pressure of this world closing in. Steady our hearts with your peace and remind us that because you are on our side, there is always hope and always a way forward. During this Advent season, grant us your peace and fill us with hope as we await the coming of our Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
