MONDAY 17th
Psalm 118
NIV (v13) ‘I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.’
ESV (v13) ‘I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.’
This psalm doesn’t say who composed it, but we soon discover that whoever it was did not always having an easy ride, in fact if we look at verse 2 it would seem to indicate that the psalm may have been composed not on behalf of an individual and his experience but possibly on behalf of the nation of Israel.
Whether it was a psalm for the nation or for an individual, whatever their circumstances were, they knew that the help that was required came from the LORD God. They knew that God was on their side, v6, God was their helper, v7, God was their refuge, v8, the LORD God was their strength, song and salvation, v14.
Whatever the trial or circumstance they had come to the point where they said, ‘I was pushed back and ready to fall’ (NIV) or ‘I was pushed hard, so that I was falling’ (ESV) ‘BUT THE LORD HELPED ME.’
It is possible that as you are reading this devotion today there may be something that is pushing you hard, to the point that you may feel that you are falling, it may be peer pressure, it may be a domestic or family situation, it may be in regard to your employment, a bereavement, sickness, finance, it may even be a stubborn heart toward God or a rebellious spirit toward what God is calling you to, it may be that you have lapsed in your relationship with God, therefore a spiritual matter: the enemy would love to see you fall or fail, he would love to give you that little extra push to knock you over, but God stands by to be your helper, he stands to listen to you as you cry out to him, so reach out to him, grab hold of his hand and allow him to lift you up, allow him to set your feet upon a solid rock again, allow him to be your strength, your song and your salvation.