The third group of people that Psalm 107 describes are those who have lost their appetite, their desire for God's Word; they have become "...fools through their sinful ways...they loathed any kind of food..." When the Old Testament uses the word fool it is describing an unbeliever, one who does not believe in God (Psalm 14:1), much less that He speaks to us. This passage in Psalm 107:17-22 tells us that there can be times in the life of a believer when we drift away from God and live a sinful lifestyle, as if there were no God. Their life has no evidence of the influence and strength of God's Word. In verse 18 it says that they almost died. Maybe you have been there.
But in verse 19 the light comes on, "...Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble and he delivered them from their distress." This reminds me of the story Jesus told about the prodical son, who came to himself and resolved to return to his father. God delivered them by sending out His word which healed them and delivered them from destruction. This group is encouraged to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and to tell of his deeds in songs of joy.
God's Word feeds us by giving us the strength to walk in His ways. One of the things our groups notice on mission trips to Uganda is the way the Ugandans pray before they eat; "Lord, give us strength from the food..." They eat for strength. We eat for taste. God's Word is sometimes sweet, but it can also be bland, hot, and even bitter; but it will give us strength if we will receive it by faith. And faith grows as we eat God's word (Romans 10:17).
Be sure that you keep your appetite for God's Word. If you feel you have lost it, cry out to Him for it.
Next week; the fourth group; the fearful.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Psalm 107:10-16; Crying Out to God in Chains
The second group that Psalm 107 describes crying out to the LORD are those who are in prison; the chains of sinful bondage. These are not people who have been captured, they have willingly rebelled against God's word (107:11) and are in the bondage of sinful addictions. There is nothing they can do to escape. "Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress." 107:13.
This group are like so many who have been deceived into thinking that God's word does not apply to them, to their situation, or that there is always a better way than God's way. The result of believing that lie ends them up in bondage, in prison, in the chains of sin. But when they cry out to God, He hears and brings them out into the light, breaking their chains, opening prison doors, setting the captives free! Hallelujah! They are instructed to give thanks to the LORD for His steadfast (relationship) love.
God's word is a lamp unto our feet and a light for our path. We will never be led into sin when we follow God's word. His word reveals His ways. His word teaches His ways. His word gives us faith (Romans 10:17). The question is this, Are we willing to receive His word? Do we sit still long enough to hear His word to us each day? When you cry out to the Lord in bondage, listen by looking for the light of His word. He will lead you out.
Next week; God heals those who have lost their appitite for His word; Psalm 107:17-22
This group are like so many who have been deceived into thinking that God's word does not apply to them, to their situation, or that there is always a better way than God's way. The result of believing that lie ends them up in bondage, in prison, in the chains of sin. But when they cry out to God, He hears and brings them out into the light, breaking their chains, opening prison doors, setting the captives free! Hallelujah! They are instructed to give thanks to the LORD for His steadfast (relationship) love.
God's word is a lamp unto our feet and a light for our path. We will never be led into sin when we follow God's word. His word reveals His ways. His word teaches His ways. His word gives us faith (Romans 10:17). The question is this, Are we willing to receive His word? Do we sit still long enough to hear His word to us each day? When you cry out to the Lord in bondage, listen by looking for the light of His word. He will lead you out.
Next week; God heals those who have lost their appitite for His word; Psalm 107:17-22
Monday, November 8, 2010
Psalm 107:2-9; God Has Redeemed Us From...
Psalm 107 is a psalm of praise to God for His saving power in our lives. We are invited to give Him praise for redeeming us out of trouble. Then the psalmist lists four kinds of trouble we tend to get into.
The first kind of trouble is found in verses 4-9; "Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in..." This is called simply being lost in the worse place imaginable, the desert, where there is constant danger, no cover, no water, no place to hide, no place to run, nothing to eat, no life. "Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble and He delivered them from their distress." 107:6 (this sentence is repeated three more times in the psalm, verses 13, 19, 28). Because of God's steadfast love (relationship love), "He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in...He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things." 107:7-9.
Everyone has experienced this kind of lostness because of sin in our lives; in sin we are lost in the worse place imaginable; the wilderness of "on our own." But when we cry out to God and call out His Name, Lord Jesus Christ, He saves us by putting us in the "straight way," Jesus Christ. He leads us to a city, His Kingdom, and He feeds us His word and satisfies our soul with His Spirit. Let the redeemed of the LORD say, Praise the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Next week; Being delivered from the prison of disobedience; 107:10-16.
The first kind of trouble is found in verses 4-9; "Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in..." This is called simply being lost in the worse place imaginable, the desert, where there is constant danger, no cover, no water, no place to hide, no place to run, nothing to eat, no life. "Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble and He delivered them from their distress." 107:6 (this sentence is repeated three more times in the psalm, verses 13, 19, 28). Because of God's steadfast love (relationship love), "He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in...He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things." 107:7-9.
Everyone has experienced this kind of lostness because of sin in our lives; in sin we are lost in the worse place imaginable; the wilderness of "on our own." But when we cry out to God and call out His Name, Lord Jesus Christ, He saves us by putting us in the "straight way," Jesus Christ. He leads us to a city, His Kingdom, and He feeds us His word and satisfies our soul with His Spirit. Let the redeemed of the LORD say, Praise the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Next week; Being delivered from the prison of disobedience; 107:10-16.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Psalm 107:1; Giving Thanks Because God is Good
Psalm 107 begins with an invitation, "Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" The word give thanks is one word in Hebrew; yada. It is sometimes translated "praise" and is the root from which the name Judah is built. It is also the word for "hand." In the Old Testament, they didn't say "thank you" they gave thanks! Hands are involved by extending them with something that is in them, like a gift.
We do this when we write a thank you note, or when we give someone a gift out of appreciation for something they did for us. In the Bible it is one of the ways to praise God...to give Him gifts with words of recognition, joyful gratitude, exuberant praise for loving us the way that He does. He loves us with His redeeming love, steadfast love.
The word, steadfast love, is the Hebrew word, hesed, and refers to God's covenant-making love. It is a love that chooses, takes initiative, saves, redeems, delivers, and endures forever...it is eternal, like God. We are loved by God with this amazing love and we praise God for loving us the way that He does.
The word, good, is the Hebrew word, towb. It means "good, best, beautiful, pleasing, excellent, supreme." It describes God's creation because God saw Himself in His creation. God alone is good, because God alone is God. There is nothing greater than towb. God's goodness toward us is experienced in His love for us. There is nothing greater in our lives than God and His steadfast love for us in Jesus Christ.
Next week; What does God's love do in our lives?
We do this when we write a thank you note, or when we give someone a gift out of appreciation for something they did for us. In the Bible it is one of the ways to praise God...to give Him gifts with words of recognition, joyful gratitude, exuberant praise for loving us the way that He does. He loves us with His redeeming love, steadfast love.
The word, steadfast love, is the Hebrew word, hesed, and refers to God's covenant-making love. It is a love that chooses, takes initiative, saves, redeems, delivers, and endures forever...it is eternal, like God. We are loved by God with this amazing love and we praise God for loving us the way that He does.
The word, good, is the Hebrew word, towb. It means "good, best, beautiful, pleasing, excellent, supreme." It describes God's creation because God saw Himself in His creation. God alone is good, because God alone is God. There is nothing greater than towb. God's goodness toward us is experienced in His love for us. There is nothing greater in our lives than God and His steadfast love for us in Jesus Christ.
Next week; What does God's love do in our lives?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)