Psalm 107.19,21 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses… Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Psalms 107 takes us through a series of life’s common troubles and proclaims the same answer for them all.
Are you suffering today? Have you wasted your life? Is your home breaking up? Have you lost your job? Are you secretly engaged in shameful sin? Is something or someone making your life miserable? Are you being persecuted or forsaken? Is death robbing you? Are you racked with guilt and shame? Are you so far gone, so far lost and so messed up that there is no hope for you?
God’s answer is the same every time:
Cry out to the Lord! He will save you.
And thank Him for His wonderful works!
When we are lost and in trouble (v. 1-9)
There are times when we trudge through a spiritual wasteland. We claw through life with no direction, no purpose and sometimes no hope. We are surrounded on every side by a real or perceived enemy who robs us of all joy. We are discouraged, defeated and tired. We find no rest, no satisfaction and suffer endless longing for peace and purpose.
Cry out to the Lord! He will hear you. Then praise Him for His wonderful works!
In the midst of suffering and trials (v. 10-16)
When we suffer we have the opportunity to become more like Christ. Our suffering is a chance to reach out to God in full dependence. Our suffering keeps us humble. Sometime we suffer as a result of mankind’s rejection of God. There are times when we suffer unjustly simply for the fact that we live in a sin-fallen world. Other times we suffer because we blatantly ignore God and choose our own way.
v.11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, And despised the counsel of the Most High…
So many times we find ourselves in the depths of sorrow and trouble because we have ignored God’s clear counsel. Even during those times, when there is no help in sight we can turn to the Lord…
v.13-15 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! (Emphasis mine)
Cry out to the Lord! He will give you hope. Bless His Name for His wonderful works!
While suffering the direct consequences of our own sin (v.17-32)
Our own choice to sin brings us great sorrow, affliction and destruction. Is there that secret sin in your life that shames you even now as you think of it? Has the broken pieces of your life been the result of doing things your own way?
Think of the things in your life you most regret… sexual impurity, rebelliousness, broken homes, wasted years, wasted chances, wasted potential. Are they not all the result of your own rebellion, pride and faulty wisdom?
Yet in the darkness of lost opportunity, when trust in Self has sunk us deep into the sea of regret… when we are capsized emotionally and shipwrecked spiritually…
Cry out to the Lord! He will transform your life. Remember His wonderful works!
When the storms of life rage (v.23-30)
Mortal man is no match for the awesome power of the ocean’s waves. Life’s troubles and cares can be as devastating as the fury of a hurricane. The waves of care and billows of despair can threaten to drown us as surely as a sinking ship in raging storm. But God commands the great seas, the winds and the waves of our life as assuredly as He commands physical nature.
Peace be still.
We teeter on the brink of sinking to the icy uncaring depths of lonely discouragement. We reel and stagger under the weight of pressure, anxiety and the self-imposed burdens of materialism. But just as Jesus spoke to the storm and stilled it (Mark 4.39), He can clalm the raging winds of your storm tossed life.
God will calm the internal storm, still the waves of torment, quiet the winds of hopelessness and guide you safely into the Harbor of His great love. Is your life a great raging storm today?
Cry out to the Lord! He will rescue you. Proclaim His wonderful works!
When we are spiritually dry, barren and unfruitful (v.33-43)
Are you thirsty for a life that has purpose and meaning? Has it been a long dry season since you drank of the cool refreshing waters of hope and peace? Have you ever quenched your thirst in the River of Life?
When we find our life barren, a wilderness of regret and guilt; when our own wickedness has dried up every source of refreshment and left us in a desert of lost chances and broken resolution… the Lord will bring us to His city of hope; He will plant a new garden of peace and purpose and will bless us with an abundant harvest of joy!
When the flame of our life is but a dying ember; when we are brought to our lowest point; when we are troubled, suffering, and in great sorrow, God will lift us up and restore us. He will care for us and demonstrate His loving kindness to all who turn to Him.
Cry out to the Lord! He will give your life meaning.
Thank Him for His wonderful works!
There is no situation, no circumstance, no trouble, no sorrow, no mistake, no regret and no affliction that our Great God can not sustain you and see you through. Only cry out to Him today and see that the Lord is faithful and good!
Lord, help us to turn to You. You will save. You give Hope. You give our lives meaning and purpose. Even if our suffering and regret are caused by our own sinful choices; even if there seems to be no answer; even if we can’t see any hope of rescue… give us the wisdom and courage to cry out to You for help. Help us this very day to be mindful of, and thankful for, and to proclaim to others, Your wonderful works of love. Amen.
Contemplation: Do you have troubles today that a loving Savior can help you through? Do you have regrets or turmoil that is making each a day dreary? What keeps you from turning to God? Messed up too many times? Too far gone?
Application: You’re never too far gone for God if you will simply turn to Him. If you’re not a Christian, then you have no other hope to make something out of the rest of your life. If you are a Christian, but find it hard to approach God because of sin and spiritual neglect, God is waiting for you. He hasn’t given up on you.
James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (NKJV)
- What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
- What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
- What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?