Psalm 107

I've been preparing a summer bible study for my daughters on the book of Psalms. As a result, I am truly learning to appreciate the beauty and wisdom of this book and am learning more about God's character, his attributes, and his love for all of us.

This morning I was reading Psalm 107 and it is about how the redeemed are to give thanks to God for his love that endures forever.

Verse 1-3 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say this- those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east, west, from north and south.

The text goes on the give four examples of situations people might be in.

1. Desert Wasteland: I believe this to mean an unbeliever who has not yet met Jesus. An unbeliever has no rest for his soul, no where to pull living water from or to get spiritual food that will sustain him and give him life. Instead, he is wandering around trying to fill himself with all kinds of things that will not sustain him and thus he is dying.

2. Darkness/Deepest Gloom- Prisoners in Chains: I believe this is someone who knows Jesus and his word but has found themselves enslaved to sin. They have rebelled against God's word and despised the counsel of the Most High. They have gotten so far into the sin that they can't find their way back out of it. Addictions, hatred, adultery are all sins that keep us in chains and in despair.

3. Foolishness: I believe this is the man who knows Jesus but has made a conscience decision to follow his own path instead of the way of Jesus. The sinful path he has chosen leads to unbearable consequences and he is losing all hope. He hates God and spends a lot of energy blaming God for his own self created situation.

4. Out At Sea in Ships: I believe this describes the good guy. The guy who would give the shirt off his back to someone in need and is always doing good things for his community. He stays out of trouble and others think well of him but he has not come to a saving belief in Jesus. Then, tragedy hits his family or a major set back happens and he doesn't know how to stay afloat. He is sinking in the storm.

In all four situations it says, 'Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble'. Last resort, maybe. Nothing else worked. I'm desperate. I can't do it myself. Help!

In all four situations, God's response was, 'And He delivered them from their distress'. He gave them rest. He gave them his Holy Spirit. He brought them out of their darkness and broke their chains. He healed them and rescued them from the grave (salvation). He stilled the storm to a whisper and hushed the waves. He guided them to safety.

God's love endures forever. No matter what we do outside of Him or for how long we do it he will come to us when we call on His name. In fact, he is constantly pursuing us, trying to get our attention, drawing us to Him in all kinds of ways.

In verses 33-34, it says because of wickedness He will turn . . .
a. rivers into desert
b. flowing springs into thirsty ground
c. fruitful land into salt water

In verses 35-36, it says he turns . . .
a. desert to pools of water
b. parched ground to flowing springs
c. hungry to live

He uses situations to draw us close to him. He desires to be in a relationship with us. He knows we are dying without Him and He wants to save us from that eternal death. He makes Himself known to us and offers freedom, forgiveness, and life to those who will call on Him. To the stubborn and foolish he will humble, oppress, and bring calamity and sorrow in the hope they will come to Him and accept what He has to offer.

Most of my life was spent in the desert wasteland, in chains, and in foolishness until I was completely broken. In the depth of my despair, I called out to God and He answered my prayer. When I finally turned to Him, He flung open His loving arms and accepted me in, faults and all. He had faithfully pursued me and has been beside me ever since, even as I learn what it means to be a child of God and don't have it all together yet. For that, I rejoice!

Let the redeemed say, 'Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever'.