Jimbo's Jots

“Had it not been the Lord who was on our side…”

That opening line comes from a powerful song many of us know well. It’s taken directly from Psalm 124, where David reflects on how the people of Israel would have been swallowed up by their enemies had the Lord not intervened. It’s a psalm of remembrance—but not one that dwells in despair. Instead, it acknowledges the struggle while celebrating God’s faithfulness.

Yet, how often do we find ourselves doing the opposite? Instead of remembering God’s deliverance, we replay our struggles like a broken record. We get stuck on what went wrong: the missed opportunities, the betrayal, the pain that we didn’t see coming. Our minds turn into highlight reels of heartache, and before long, we convince ourselves that life is defined by what hurt us rather than Who helped us.

The truth is, our struggles are real. Israel’s enemies were real. Your pain and my pain are real. But Psalm 124—and the song drawn from it—reminds us of something greater: we are still here because the Lord was on our side.

The flood did not sweep us away. The snare did not trap us forever. The enemy did not have the last word. God did.

When we keep our eyes fixed only on the struggle, we live like captives of the past. But when we lift our eyes to God’s faithfulness, we step into freedom. Our scars become reminders, not of defeat, but of deliverance.

So maybe the real question is not, “Why did I have to go through that?” but rather, “Where would I be if the Lord had not been on my side?”

Take a moment today and reflect. Think back on the struggles you thought would undo you. Then, let gratitude rise as you realize: God carried you through.

“Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 124:6, 8)

Be blessed knowing God has been with you! Be a blessing to those who need a reminder too!