Psalm
107 reminds me of the time following a motorcycle accident when I was
20 years old. It was miraculous in that both the car that hit me and
motorcycle were totaled, yet I did not break anything. I did sustain
some internal injuries that required recuperation. At the time I was
living with my life-long friend. He took care to make sure I was
able to recover. That time of healing with critical in my life. I
was soon able to go to work and save up money to go back to college.
Those few weeks probably changed my life. It is not possible to
repay that kind of love. The psalm continues the theme of giving
thanks to God because “He
is good; His love endures forever“.
This time he points to examples of before and after situations and
reminds the healed,” Let
the redeemed of the Lord say
this“.
Perhaps he describes you? “Some
wandered in desert wastelands… hungry and thirsty, and their lives
ebbed away… Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom… Some
became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered“.
Each of these people came to the same conclusion, “Then
they cried to the Lord“.
And notice the outcome, “He
sent forth His Word and healed them; He rescued them“.
How do you react when you cannot repay an act of love? I believe we
are to live our lives with thanks. “Let
them
sacrifice
thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy“.
.Romans
12:1 says, “in
view of God’s mercy… offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy
and pleasing to God“.
Healing must come first.
Next
he writes of folks active in business, merchants buying and selling
and the highs and lows of commerce. During difficult times, “They
reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits’ end“.
This group also, “cried
out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their
distress“. “He
stilled the storm to a whisper…
Let
them exalt Him in the assembly of the people and… in the council of
the elders“. I believe
he is saying we ought to give praise to God within our circle of
influence. There is nothing more powerful than when words and
actions combine together to honor God.
The
psalm closes with a subtle reminder that God will withhold blessings
from those nations that ignore Him and generously bless nations that
honor Him. “He
turned rivers into a desert… fruitful land into a salt waste… and
the parched ground into flowing springs; there He brought the hungry
to live“. I believe
this is true for individuals and families as well. I have seen it
myself. Some families get pulled away by some distraction and dry up
spiritually, while others come to church barren and broken and are
allowed to heal and learn. God desires us to first heal, and then
flourish. “They
sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest…
He lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their
families like flocks“.
This is done in public, for all to see so God gets the glory. “The
upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths“.
Romans 12:2 adds, “Do
not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that you may prove what is
that good and acceptable and perfect will of God“.
The psalm ends, “Whoever
is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the
Lord“. Are you healed
up yet?