Friday, April 17, 2009

Psalm 107

Psalm 107 is one of my favorite psalms. The four "stanzas" (sandwiched between and introduction and conclusion) describe various types of struggles we find ourselves in, from wandering in the desert, in prison because of rebellion against God, in afflictions because of our own stupidity, and caught helpless in sea-storms through no fault of our own.

In each case the refrained is repeated: "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress". And in each case the deliverance perfectly meets the need of the moment.

This is good. We find ourselves in troubles for various reasons: our "lostness", our rebellion, our stupidity, and simply from the "storms of life". But even when I have dug myself into the pit myself, when I cry out to the Lord, he hears and delivers.

My favorite deliverance: "He satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things" (v.9)

So take some time to meditiate on this psalm. Which affliction are you in? Follow the counsel of the psalmist:

"Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD." (v.43)

p.s. Click on the link and you can listen to the psalm as you follow along.

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