C.S. Lewis in his “Reflections on the Psalms,” writes these words; “A man can’t be always
defending the truth; there must be a time to feed on it.” In our journey in life and with Christ we
must have a time to feed on the truth which is the Word of God. If we are constantly pouring out
with nothing being poured in, then eventually we will run dry. As a pilgrim you and I must stop
and feed on the Word. As a matter of fact, I think that we need to feed more than we need to
defend or pour out. Our souls and spirits are much dryer than we think and because of that we
need time with Christ daily.
In Psalm 124, David writes these words; “If the LORD had not been on our side – Let Israel say –
If the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us, then they would have swallowed
us alive in their burning anger against us.” The circumstances that David is writing about are
unknown but what is known is that had it not been for the LORD, Israel and David would have
been swallowed up. Israel was naturally not the most powerful or largest nation but actually the
opposite. Israel was small and easy to overcome naturally. But Israel had something that all other
nations lacked and that was the LORD. God was and is the protector of Israel and David. God
did not allow them to be swallowed or destroyed. If you think about it, thousands upon thousands
of years the nation of Israel and the Jewish people still stand today. Throughout their history
other nations have tried to destroy them, but they continue to survive. They survive because of
the LORD.
Some real practical applications can come from Psalm 124. We the church (individual followers
of Christ) may not be able to defend ourselves against the mass of culture and society, but God is
able to defend us. Over the last number of years, we in the United States have depended too
much on trying to find political power. Evangelicals have fought to have the right administration
or congress in power hoping that would protect us but what we have seen and continue to see is
that is not true protection. That does not mean that we become inactive in voting and speaking
out against what we believe is morally wrong, we are to be active in our voting and active in our
commitments to morality. We are to have a voice, but a voice of gospel compassion and
Kingdom focused. Our voice must speak against immorality across the board and not try to
protect one side or the other. Just as God has protected Israel, He will protect His church. That
means that the church will continue until His return, no matter how hard the world tries to
destroy it.
David in Psalm 124, closes out with these words; “Our help is in the name of the LORD, the
Maker of heaven and earth.” If we are truly going to experience God as we journey in this life,
we need to feed on the Word of God and allow the LORD to defend us. That is what I think that
C.S. Lewis was getting at with that statement. Our defense will run dry, but God’s will never run
dry. Our dependance is upon Him and our food and joy are His Word and His Presences in our
lives.
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