Rejoicing and Singing

Before God rescued Israel from the hands of Egypt, the people were oppressed in the bondage of slavery. While they were great in number due to God’s blessing upon them, the Israelites were not skilled fighters, nor were they strong. Moreover, when they escaped Egypt by the Mighty Hand of God, they did not have resources of their own to defend themselves in times of danger. They did not have the ability or wisdom to survive in the desert. They could not even feed themselves. All that they had was God, Who proved Himself to be all that they needed. When the psalmist declares the LORD’s wonderous works, he is declaring all that God has done for His people. Since the very beginning, God has been a Refuge, a Help in times of trouble, a Righteous Judge, the Faithful One of Israel Who rises up against His enemies.

God helps those who are weak as a display of His Greatness. He works in ways such that no one can steal away credit that is due to Him. It is when Israel is at their most helpless state that the Lord intervenes on their behalf. It is during the psalmist’s afflictions that God is his Help. It is when we come to the end of our rope that we can see God sustaining us by His Provision and Power. This is because these times are when we realize what we ourselves are not capable of. Here, we see our need for and our blessing of God’s Presence being made known. What has the Lord already done for You? How has He already assured you that He is all you need? May the focus on all that He has done cause you to rejoice and boast about Him.