Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle.
Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains …
Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.
Psalm 107:4, 10, 17, 23, 28 (NIV)
The message of Psalm 107 is clear – people can find themselves in quite a pickle, needing God’s help, yet finding themselves unwilling to acknowledge:
- their need, and
- God’s ability to help them.
The Psalmist puts it well when he says ‘Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress‘. Notice that the Psalmist didn’t say – ‘Then they cried out in their trouble’. He included the words ‘… to the Lord …’. Two things are happening here. Firstly, the need is acknowledged and secondly, God is seen as the source of help.
Later in the psalm we are given an indication of the help given by God.
Those who were lost, going through life aimlessly –
He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle (7).
To those imprisoned by sin –
He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains (14).
To those suffering illness –
He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave (20).
To those facing the storms of life –
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed (29).
You don’t have to wait until you are desparate before seeking God’s help. He is eager for you to call on him. Acknowledge your need and dependency on him. Trust in his goodness that whatever the outcome, he loves and cares for you.
Every blessing
[Archives – click on the icon at the top of the WordPress webpage]
No Condemnation 