Intro: This is a Psalm of David, and it is a song of degrees. A Song of degrees was one that was sung
by the pilgrims who were coming to Jerusalem to worship. They sang as they climbed the hills surrounding Jerusalem these songs
of praise to God lifting their voices as they increased in elevation- thus a song of degrees.
In the case of Psalms 124, they
were singing of the delivering power of God. As a matter of fact, they sand, and compelled others to sing in agreement with
them in verse 1-2 that if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, we would have been overwhelmed. The rest of the chapter
goes on to tell what would have overwhelmed them if it had not been for the Lord. Some have argued that this Psalm was written
well after David and refers to the deliverance from evil Haman in the book of Esther, and others claim it refers to the deliverance
of Israel in a battle with the Philistines. In studying the Psalm and understanding the man David and his knowledge of Hebrew
History, I am convinced that this is his reflection on the account of the Israelites in their Egyptian bondage. After 400
years of slavery, God delivered them out from the hand of Pharaoh across the Red Sea to the land of Canaan. Were it not for
the Lord, they would have been overwhelmed. That is where I want to preach: “Overwhelmed Without God”
I.
By Our Enemies, v. 2-3, speaks of the Egyptian experience or our lost condition. They had some enemies in Egypt, and they resemble the enemies
that we had in sin:
A.
Pharaoh: Satan. Tormented the people of God. Would not let them
go when the man of God wanted to lead them out. If it had not been for the Lord, He would have overwhelmed them!
B. Egypt: World. The world is filled with temptations, lusts,
carnalities, diversions, ungodliness, and wickedness that all seek to use you and keep you from serving God. It will overwhelm
you without God steps in!
C. Hard Bondage: Flesh.
When a man sins, he is drawn away of his own lusts and enticed (James 1:14-15). We are in bondage to this body (Romans 7:24
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”).
II. By
The Elements, v. 4-5, These verses speak of the overwhelming waters that were
overcome by our great God. The Red Sea and the Jordan River were parted by the Lord, and they represent unto us the deliverance
of God from the overwhelming elements that war against us:
A. Crossing the Red Sea represents the victory over the barriers that keep you from getting deliverance from Egyptian
bondage. These barriers today are pride, guilt, shame, and the greatest of them all is unbelief. Without God these elements
will overwhelm you! You will never get delivered from Egypt without God.
B. Crossing the Jordan River represents the victory over the barriers that keep you out of Canaan.
They keep you from living a victorious Christian life. Temptation, worldliness, flesh, carnal interests; entanglement with
these will pout you in bondage and keep you out of Canaan. Without the Lord these elements will overwhelm you!
C. Impassible Crossings of life will arise as overwhelming elements. Burdens, difficulties, distress,
duress, danger, and grief will all be more than you can stand, but when I cannot stand, I have a place to lean!
D. Impossible Crossings at death are elements that overwhelm us all. One cannot pass from earth to
glory without God. He will be overwhelmed. Eternity will bring torment, and the grave will offer no hope!
III. Without Escape, v. 6-8, The Lord has saved us. Our
help is in him. We do not have to be overwhelmed, but Hebrews 2:3. Without God You will be overwhelmed:
A. Where is a Greater Sacrifice?
B. Who is a Greater Savior?
C. What is a Greater Spirit
D. Who is a Greater Sovereign?
Without him you will not escape the wrath of God; you will be overwhelmed! Had it not been
for the Lord who was on our side, what would we do?
