Day One – Psalm 107

Day 1 – Psalm 107

We start our study with a beautiful and comprehensive Psalm. This, like all psalms, was sung in ancient times and it really reads like a song, doesn’t it? In my New Living Translation Bible, the refrain for this song is “Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.” It’s literally a celebration of God’s steadfast love for His ornery people. This psalm lists a whole lot of troubles in it. Some are troubles from outside sources and some are troubles totally brought about by foolish or rebellious behavior. But in every single case, when the one in trouble cried out for help and rescue, God answered with help and rescue. What comfort there is in that!

I learn two important lessons from this psalm. The first lesson is that troubles are going to come. There will be violent storms in this life. There will be wilderness times when we feel lost and alone and hungry and weary. Some of these happen without being anyone’s fault. We live in a broken world. Tornadoes, wars, famines, and hurricanes happen. And they are pretty much indiscriminate in who they touch. Christians and non-Christians alike get cancer, lose children to drunk drivers and find themselves out of work and out of options. Jesus corroborates this truth when He tells His disciples in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Where is peace found? In Him. After all, He has overcome the world and the death and sin that reign in it! No matter what we face, He is there to bring His peace.

The second lesson I learn is to cry out to God when I am in trouble. And that’s whether the trouble was my own silly fault or not. Psalm 107:10-11 are fascinating verses to me. We can sit in darkness and gloom, prisoners of our own misery due to our rebellion. Or we can ask Him to free us. He is able to break the chains that bind us and give us a fresh start! Hallelujah! Over and over, this psalm recounts the ways God has helped His people when they cry out to Him. The last verse summarizes well how we should all live in this fallen world: “Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the LORD.” May we see that faithful, steadfast love in our own life stories as we study His Word together!

What verse did you choose? Why did you choose it? I’ll share mine … would you share your yours in the comments below? I’d love to hear from you.

My verse: Psalm 107:10 “Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, imprisoned in chains of misery.”

My response: This whole section on people chained by misery hits me hard, today. Father God, sometimes we put ourselves in prison. Chained by our refusal to obey You and believe You. Your word – Your counsel – brings freedom. It’s so sad when we lock ourselves in chains of bitterness, hatred, rejection, rebellion … Lord, help us to cry out to You and be freed. Break chains today, Lord, in someone’s life and heart. Thank You for being the One who can set us free.