I’m a question sort of person, constantly asking questions in my head. I am not always seeking a quick answer, but find merely the asking of a question causes me to think more deeply.
The question I am most fond of is: “What if … ?”.
Most often “What if ..” can set ones heart into a panic but for about two weeks now, Psalm 124 has been before me and it also asks the question:
“What if the Lord had not been on our side?”
It asks not once but twice in a short eight verses, a repetition demanding our attention.
“What if the Lord had not been on our side?”
The answer is quite simple – we would not have survived. We would have gone down for the count. We would have been destroyed when people speak ill of us, when anger is spewed on us, when circumstances overwhelm us, when we feel cornered, rejected, abandoned, or unloved.
Or perhaps its when relationships fail us; when the checkbook runs out of funds; when the refrigerator is empty; when our dream job suddenly comes to an end; or when illness strikes.
But the psalmist, David, is not asking the question because anxiety is great within him. In fact, I see his faith and a call to also ask the question; for in the asking our faith will be built up.
David tells us in the psalm what could have happened, but did not, because the Lord was on the side of His people. He states the “what if” scenarios to remind us not of the difficulties but to shift our hearts to remember …
The Lord was indeed with us and on our side.
“Praise the Lord …Â Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
(verse 8, NLT)
We can look at our present difficulties, those challenging days, and remind our souls of the greatness and power of our God. It is out of our hard days that we develop a faith to stand firm in the promise of His help.
“It is the help we experience, not the hazards we risk, that shapes our days.” (Eugene Peterson)
The Lord was indeed with us and on our side in days past and
He will surely be with us and on our side today.
Today I am joining … Faith On Fire and Fresh Market Friday and Faith ”˜N Friends .
Good ponderings here, Joanne. I want to get in the habit of asking the right kinds of questions, those that turn my heart toward faith and away from worry!
I do as well, Michele. Usually when I ask “What if…” I am led down the path of anxiety, as I tend to think what if something terrible were to occur. I’m turning the question to point me to remember God is always with me and to have trust in Him.
I am an enquirer too, goes with the territory of being a therapist! 🙂
Great post Joanne, we have not only survived but thrive because He is us with us!
New Year blessings,
Jennifer
I love it! My questions come from the territory of being a “worrier” 🙂 I’m wanting to turn my questions around so I remember all He has brought me through and will continue to bring me through. So glad you stopped here!
Great post Joanne. Lots of food for thought. I’m sure I do more than I should with “what if” particularly in regards to Thomas and his addiction.
Paula, what if questions can often take me down such a wrong path. But once the question is turned around, it becomes faith building. What if God is with Thomas, protecting him from all harm? What if God is bringing people into his life to help him? What if God is bringing believers into Thomas’ life to bring Thomas back to Himself? It’s amazing how the turn of a question can frame the situation differently. Praying for you both! xo
In a time when it is so easy to question our life with plenty of “what-ifs, I appreciate this call to flip our perspective and consider these questions in a different light. Another great, thought-provoking post, Joanne… Happy New Year!