If not for the Lord… Psa 124 A Song of Ascents. Of David. Written by the great king David Sung by Hebrew pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem (up Mount Zion)

1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side - let Israel now say - 2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, 3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; 4 then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; 5 then over us would have gone the raging waters. 6 Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! 7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, & we have escaped! 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven & earth. If not for the Lord… Psa 124 Song of Ascents. Of David.

Projection If not for the Lord, we will be destroyed Proclamation Praise be to the Lord who delivered us Proposition Our help is in the Lord Metaphor 1 Raging waters Metaphor 2 A trapped bird Psalm 124 1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side - let Israel now say - 2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, 3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; 4 then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; 5 then over us would have gone the raging waters. 6 Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! 7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, & we have escaped! 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven & earth.

If not for the Lord, we will be destroyed Israel faced powerful enemies whose intense aggression could have resulted in probable devastation Projection (v.1-3) If not for the Lord, we will be destroyed Metaphor 1 (v.4-5) Raging waters Psalm 124 2 when people rose up against us, 3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; 4 then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; 5 then over us would have gone the raging waters.

come & spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. c.f. 2 Samuel 5 17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it & went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come & spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 And David inquired of the Lord, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" And the Lord said to David, "Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 20 And David came to Baal-perazim, & David defeated them there. And he said, "The Lord has burst through my enemies before me like a bursting flood." Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 21 And the Philistines left their idols there, & David & his men carried them away.

& come against them opposite the balsam trees. c.f. 2 Samuel 5 22 And the Philistines came up yet again & spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, & come against them opposite the balsam trees. 24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 25 And David did as the Lord commanded him, & struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.

If not for the Lord, we will be destroyed Israel faced powerful enemies whose intense aggression could have resulted in probable devastation Projection (v.1-3) If not for the Lord, we will be destroyed Metaphor 1 (v.4-5) Raging waters Like the potent force, dangers & effects of raging water Psalm 124 2 when people rose up against us, 3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; 4 then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; 5 then over us would have gone the raging waters.

If not for the Lord, we will be destroyed Israel faced powerful enemies whose intense aggression could have resulted in probable devastation Projection (v.1-3) If not for the Lord, we will be destroyed Metaphor 1 (v.4-5) Raging waters Like the potent force, dangers & effects of raging water David (Israel’s great king) acknowledged God’s presence, not his own power Psalm 124 1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side - let Israel now say - 2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side

If not for the Lord, we will be destroyed Israel faced powerful enemies whose intense aggression could have resulted in probable devastation Projection (v.1-3) If not for the Lord, we will be destroyed Metaphor 1 (v.4-5) Raging waters Like the potent force, dangers & effects of raging water David (Israel’s great king) acknowledged God’s presence, not his own power Think back on how the Lord has preserved us Remembering we are vulnerable Remembering He is in full control

David praised God that He delivered Israel from trouble on many occasions Proclamation (v.6) Praise be to the Lord who delivered us Metaphor 2 (v.7) A trapped bird Psalm 124 6 Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! 7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, & we have escaped!

David praised God that He delivered Israel from trouble on many occasions Proclamation (v.6) Praise be to the Lord who delivered us Metaphor 2 (v.7) A trapped bird Like a trapped bird who escaped because someone broke the net Psalm 124 6 Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! 7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, & we have escaped!

David praised God that He delivered Israel from trouble on many occasions Proclamation (v.6) Praise be to the Lord who delivered us Metaphor 2 (v.7) A trapped bird Like a trapped bird who escaped because someone broke the net Give thanks for how the Lord has delivered us Remembering how He is the deliverer Remembering how we are delivered

David reiterated that God is the source of our help Proposition (v.8) Our help is in the Lord Look up to the Lord, who made heaven & earth Remembering His character Psalm 124 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven & earth.

Dear Chien Chong Thanks for your concern and prayers.  I am okay, at present. I will be discharged tomorrow pm.   The docs have scheduled an operation for me at end Nov to remove the 1.5 cm mass in the pancreas - very “jia lat" operation.   Will be out of operation after this for about 2 to 3 weeks and then proceed with post operation treatment dependent on what they find from the "parts removed" - benign or malignant (probably will be malignant). 

The road ahead will be a challenging one for me but hopefully my ministry will continue unchanged to the glory of God.  I can make it for the meeting on 17 Nov. Looking forward to my sharing with you all.  Thanks. Latest info on my medical: I am home. Will go for medical review by NUH Cancer Centre on Friday am and proceed from there.  Please pray for me.  I am completely at peace with what God plans to me - He has always done the best for me and I see no reason for Him to change His treatment of His loved son.

David reiterated that God is the source of our help Proposition (v.8) Our help is in the Lord Look up to the Lord, who made heaven & earth Remembering His character Remembering He is the creator Psalm 124 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven & earth.

Stuart Townend & Keith Getty (2001) In Christ Alone Stuart Townend & Keith Getty (2001) No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me; From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand: Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Psa 124 Remembering… Christ we are vulnerable In history & our lives Projection If not for the Lord, we will be destroyed Proclamation Praise be to the Lord who delivered us Proposition Our help is in the Lord Metaphor 1 Raging waters Metaphor 2 A trapped bird Remembering… Christ Psa 124 we are vulnerable In history & our lives Think back on how the Lord has preserved us He is in full control how He is the deliverer From sin & judg- ment Give thanks for how the Lord has delivered us how we are delivered His character Look up to the Lord, who made heaven & earth In life & the world He is the creator