(adapted from Life Application Study Bible)
Written: NLT
Scroll Over: NIV
This psalm speaks of four different types of people in distress and how God rescues them (in His love):
- wanderers (vv.4-9)
- prisoners (vv.10-16)
- the sick (vv.17-20)
- the storm-tossed (vv.23-30)
Psalm 107:1-3
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!
Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.
3 For he has gathered the exiles from many lands,
from east and west,
from north and south.
"Let the redeemed of the Lord say..." God has done so much for us, and we have so much for which to thank Him (Psalm 103). He wants us to tell everyone all that He has done. These verses are not so much a mandate/ edict to witness. Rather, it is like a declaration that when we live in God's presence we will not be able to keep this glorious experience to ourselves (see also Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
Reflect: What has God done for you? Is there someone you can tell?
Psalm 107:4-9
4 Some wandered in the wilderness,
lost and homeless.
5 Hungry and thirsty,
they nearly died.
6 "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble,
and he rescued them from their distress.
7 He led them straight to safety,
to a city where they could live.
8 Let them praise the Lord for his great love
and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
9 For he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
Lost, hungry, thirsty and exhausted, these wanderers typify the Israelites in exile. But they also typify anyone who has not found the satisfaction that comes from knowing God. Anyone who recognises his or her own lostness can receive the offer of Jesus to satisfy these needs.
Jesus is the way (John 14:6), the bread from heaven (John 6:33,35), the living water (John 4:10-14), and the giver of rest (Matthew 11:28-30).
Reflect: Have received His life-giving offer? What are you waiting for if you have not? If you have, how has this acceptance of gift changed your life?
Psalm 107:10-16
10 Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom,
imprisoned in iron chains of misery.
11 They rebelled against the words of God,
scorning the counsel of the Most High.
12 That is why he broke them with hard labor;
they fell, and no one was there to help them.
13 "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
14 He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom;
he snapped their chains.
15 Let them praise the Lord for his great love
and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
16 For he broke down their prison gates of bronze;
he cut apart their bars of iron.
Do you know anyone who is in prison?
Most people think that those in prison deserve whatever misery they experience as punishment for their crimes. But God loves all men and women no matter how far they have fallen. He wants to reach them with His love and dispel the gloom they face (Matthew 25:34-46). Throughout the world, people are imprisoned for their faith; others suffer as victims of injustice.
Reflect: Can you reach out to them? Pray for those in prison. Pray for ministries Christians chaplains who take God's message of love and forgiveness to prisoners.
Psalm 107:17-20
17 Some were fools; they rebelled
and suffered for their sins.
18 They couldn't stand the thought of food,
and they were knocking on death's door.
19 "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them,
snatching them from the door of death.
Fools and rebels surely bring trouble upon themselves. This psalm offers hope for those who have made a mess of their lives. By receiving God's free gift of forgiveness (Micah 7:18-20; 1 John 1:9), anyone can begin a new life and break the past (see Romans 3:23-26; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
By faith in Christ, we can break addictions, heal memories, and restore broken relationships. If we ask Christ to take control of our lives, He will answer us. "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3). His love reaches even those who have rebelled against Him.
Reflect: When was the last time you called to Jesus? When was the last time you cried out to Jesus?
Is God sitting on the chair of control, chair of decision making in your life or someone else like yourself?
Psalm 107:21-22
21 Let them praise the Lord for his great love
and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
22 Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving
and sing joyfully about his glorious acts.
Psalm 107:23-30
23 Some went off to sea in ships,
plying the trade routes of the world.
24 They, too, observed the Lord's power in action,
his impressive works on the deepest seas.
25 He spoke, and the winds rose,
stirring up the waves.
26 Their ships were tossed to the heavens
and plunged again to the depths;
the sailors cringed in terror.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards
and were at their wits' end.
28 "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
29 He calmed the storm to a whisper
and stilled the waves.
30 What a blessing was that stillness
as he brought them safely into harbor!
Psalm 107:31-32
31 Let them praise the Lord for his great love
and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
32 Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation
and before the leaders of the nation.
Those who have never truly suffered may not appreciate God as much as those who have matured under hardship.
Those who have seen God work in times of distress have a deeper insight into His loving-kindness, If you have experienced great trials, you have the potential for great praise.
Reflect: Are you praising Him for the wonderful things He has done for you in your life? Have you thanked Him for your life this day?
Psalm 107:33-38
33 He changes rivers into deserts,
and springs of water into dry, thirsty land.
34 He turns the fruitful land into salty wastelands,
because of the wickedness of those who live there.
35 But he also turns deserts into pools of water,
the dry land into springs of water.
36 He brings the hungry to settle there
and to build their cities.
37 They sow their fields, plant their vineyards,
and harvest their bumper crops.
38 How he blesses them!
They raise large families there,
and their herds of livestock increase.
Psalm 107:39-43
39 When they decrease in number and become impoverished
through oppression, trouble, and sorrow,
40 the Lord pours contempt on their princes,
causing them to wander in trackless wastelands.
41 But he rescues the poor from trouble
and increases their families like flocks of sheep.
42 The godly will see these things and be glad,
while the wicked are struck silent.
43 Those who are wise will take all this to heart;
they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.
Open your eyes to see His wonders at work in your life. Don't miss out the opened door He has given to you. Don't miss the opportunity laid before you. Accept this love, His love and live your live in love by the faithful love of God.
Reflect: Do you see Him at work in your life? Share this with the people around you - how wonderful He has been in showering you with His unfailing love. His love never fails. Will you strive to love Him with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind? How?
Prayer: My heavenly Father, how wonderful and great and unfailing is Your love that you lavish on me. Even when I'm not worthy of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, you still love me so. How can I ever fathom Your love? O Lord, how deep Your love, how abundant Your grace. Thank You so much for what You have done for me. Thank You even for the time to dwell in Your words that teaches and directs my path. Lord, help me to walk in Your wisdom and love. Teach me, Father, to love You more by what I do, by what I say. Help me to not be afraid but rejoices in Your truth that sets me free so much so that I will speak of Your love to the world that is lost out there. They need Your love too O Lord. Your love beyond all measures. May Your mercy fall on Your people of this generation as we await Your glorious arrival. Keep us in Your love and help us fight the good fight of faith in love, in Christ's love. Love You Lord. Help me love You even more. In Jesus' most precious and loving name, Amen!
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
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