Psalm 107
God's covenant faithfulness is sure, even during times when His people don't experience peace and comfort. Sometimes comfort isn't what we need. Sometimes we need to experience His discipline instead. Sometimes it's a problem of deeply rooted sin, and His disciplining hand has to give us trials to turn us to Himself again. So then we cry out to Him for mercy – and, wonder of wonders, He extends it! That mercy is in view in the repeating refrain of this psalm. It says, "Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses."
This is a psalm in which the leader reminds the worshippers of the cycle of falling, repentance, and then mercy. He reminds them of it because he doesn't want them to fail in their personal lives or as a nation. He wants them to turn back to their Lord again and again after each and every fall. He wants them to discover that the covenant God will still hear, and that He will still save!
The song reminds them once again that trials are not blind happenstance - they are ALWAYS from the hand of a Father God Who would turn their hearts to Himself again. It is He Who "turns rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground; a fruitful land into barrenness for the wickedness of those who dwell in it." And it is also He Who "turns a wilderness into pools of water, and dry land into watersprings."
It's the same for us. The things that happen to us are not happenstance. They're from the hand of a loving heavenly Father, a Father Who does whatever is necessary to make our lives what they should be and to capture our hearts. He gives us this advice: "Whoever is wise will observe these things, and will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord." Well then, what should be our response? Shouldn't it be to turn again – unfailingly - to Him for mercy – because He is unfailing in His mercy?
This is really an encouraging Psalm if we only could realise it., to understand that the bad things in life always are turned about by the Heavenly Father in His own purposes.
I love this Psalm. I do like the "turns the dry land into watersprings"........We all go through Wilderness experiences in our walk with the Lord but He uses everything to draw us closer to Himself. It is so wonderful, the Wisdom of God.
Our God is a "Yes" God....Praise Him!
Thanks Pastor.
Jenny
Amen! And thank you Jenny. One of the Puritans said, "Wants are my greatest riches, for I have these supplied by Christ."
Hello again Pastor.
I mentioned this Psalm when we discussed Ps 119 earlier on and I again felt the need to return to Psalm 107 today.
It is encouraging that you remind us of the "falling, repentance and mercy"......yes we keep falling, repenting and our God is merciful......His loving hands lift us up and carry us further along the Heavenly journey.
Our dry places are indeed God's watering places. He does use everything to draw us closer to Him. He doesn't send trials but He uses them in His design.
Thank-you Pastor.