Psalm 107

It's been a long week kicking off the new school year with Matt out of state, Sofie starting at Lily, Hannah and Ava's school, several sick kids and now a sick mama.  Dad's widow, Cindy, came to spend a few days with us and it had been too long! I definitely fell asleep on the couch last night at 7 pm with coughing kids on every side.

But Monday the Lord encouraged me with a Psalm I haven't noticed in this way before... Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So.

Every single one of us is covered here. 

Give thanks to the Lord

for He is good

His steadfast love endures forever!

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

whom He has redeemed from trouble

and gathered from the east, west, north and south.

Now look through the rest of the Psalm, as this faithful declaration of God repeats again and again.

Some wandered in desert wastes

hungry and thirsty

they cried to the Lord,

He delivered them, 

led them by a straight way

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love

He satisfies the longing soul,

and the hungry should He fills with good things.

Was/Is that you? Wandering? Desert? Hungry?  He satisfies.

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death

prisoners in affliction and irons

rebelling against the words of the Lord

spurning the counsel of the Most High.

So He bowed their hearts with hard labor

they fell down, with none to help

Then, they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

He delivered them from their distress.

He brought them OUT of the darkness and the shadow of death,

He burst their bonds apart.

Let them thank the lord for their steadfast love,

for His wonders to the children of man.

Was/Is that you? Sitting in such darkness? Hard, stubborn, imprisoned, rebellious? When they finally cry out to Him, He brings them out and breaks them free!

Some were fools through their sinful ways,

and because of it they suffered afliction

they loathed any kind of food

drew near to the gates of death

But when they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

He delivered them.

He sent out his word and healed them,

and delivered them from their own destruction.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,

for His wondrous works to the children of man.

Was/Is that you? Foolish? Suffering the consequences of it, extended His goodness again and again and not interested? But when you finally looked up, He met you with His gracious healing?

Some went down to the sea in ships,

doing business on the great waters

they saw the deeds of the Lord

they saw His wondrous works in the deep

they mounted up to heaven and went down to the depths

they reeled and staggered like drunken men

and were finally at their wits end

then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

and He delivered them from their distress.

He made the storm be still,

and the waves of the sea were hushed.

they were glad at the quiet waters,

and He brought them to their desired haven.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,

and His wondrous works to the children of man.

Has this been you? Busy? Living your life, chasing your dreams, doing it all...and not ever at peace? Finally at your wits end? He brings calm to all the storms and finally brings us to the desire of our hearts...Himself.

Every person I am praying for, every place I have been...is in this Psalm. And never does it say, "Finally they cried out to the Lord, and He let them lay in the bed they made." I am just in awe of His goodness to us, His care, His eye upon us, and the way He works wondrously with the children of man. My hope in Him over those I am praying for is strengthened.  

Whoever is wise...let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.