Your God is Too Small

Our God is too small…because our enemy is too small. I’m afraid we think too little of God because we think too little of the enemy of our soul. Before you think I’ve lost my way with this, listen to David’s words in Psalm 124:

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side—
let Israel now say—
if it had not been the LORD who was on our side
when people rose up against us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
the raging waters. (Psalm 124: 1-5, ESV)

What struck me as I read Psalm 124 was not David’s assessment of the Lord, it was his evaluation of the enemy. He talks more about the enemy than he does the Lord. Notice the words he uses to describe the intent of the enemy: swallowed us up alive, anger kindled against us, flood that swept us away, torrent gone over us, then over us would have gone the raging waters. We’ve had enough rain recently to see the effects of raging flood waters. Water is a force to be reckoned with. Satan is too. So is the world. And our sinful nature.

I’m afraid our God is too small because our enemy is too. Listen to Jesus’ words:

The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10, ESV)

Satan’s goal is not to trip you up–his goal is your total destruction. The world wants to twist how you think, affect your heart’s desires, and infect your relationships. Your sinful nature craves sin, delights in it, can never get enough. Don’t go light on the enemies of your soul. They’re real. They are raging waters and rushing torrents. They want to sweep you away. Again Jesus’ words…to Peter:

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32, ESV)

And how did Peter respond?

Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” (Luke 22:33-34, ESV)

Peter underestimated the enemy…and paid dearly for it. He denied the very Christ he loved so much. So what do we do? Focus on the enemy? Live in fear? No!

Notice how David ends the Psalm:

Blessed be the LORD,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped!
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:6-8, ESV)

David ends by blessing the Lord. The enemy is great. God is greater. The enemy entraps. God breaks the snare. The enemy is strong, God is stronger. “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” David appeals to God’s greatest act–that of creating. You must too. If you belong to God, you are a new creation–the old has passed away, behold the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

How might you echo David’s words: “My help is in the name of the Lord who made me, made me new, and now lives inside me.” The aged apostle John wrote, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4, ESV)

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, let _____________________ (your name) now say…”