Pam Padgett ... teacher
In Psalm 107 we're told about the lovingkindness of God, including that God redeems us (our sins paid for by the blood of Jesus, as well
as being continually saved from our enemies), helps us in time of trouble, leads us,
and satisfies us with His goodness ...
Psalm 107:1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is
good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord
say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; 3 And gathered
them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the
north, and from the south. 4 They wandered in the wilderness in a
solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. 5 Hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted in them. 6 Then they cried unto the Lord in their
trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. 7 And he led
them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his
wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For he satisfieth the longing
soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
To those who rebel against the word of God and His counsel, God brings them low with no one to help that they might turn and seek HIM. When they cry out to God, He is able to break through all that binds them ...
Psalm 107:10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
being bound in affliction and iron; 11 Because they rebelled against
the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: 12
Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and
there was none to help. 13 Then they cried unto the Lord in their
trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. 14 He brought them
out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in
sunder. 15 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for
his wonderful works to the children of men! 16 For he hath broken the
gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
When those afflicted because of transgressions cry out to God, He sends
His word to heal them and deliver them from their own destructions ...
Psalm 107:17
Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities,
are afflicted. 18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw
near unto the gates of death. 19 Then they cry unto the Lord in their
trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. 20 He sent his
word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 21 Oh
that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful
works to the children of men! 22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices
of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
As we go about our lives on this earth, we face various fearful things
and it sometimes even seems we will be destroyed. But God has created all things and is over all, able
to help us in whatever distresses we face when we call out to Him ...
Psalm 107:23
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great
waters; 24 These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the
waves thereof. 26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to
the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 27 They reel to
and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits 'end. 28
Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out
of their distresses. 29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves
thereof are still. 30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he
bringeth them unto their desired haven. 31 Oh that men would praise the
Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of
men! 32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and
praise him in the assembly of the elders.
God judges both the wicked and the poor (those who are lowly, meek, and obedient to God),
blessing and helping the poor, and afflicting the wicked. The righteous
rejoice to see the judgment of God, and the wicked stop their talk ...
Psalm 107:33
He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry
ground; 34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them
that dwell therein. 35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water,
and dry ground into watersprings. 36 And there he maketh the hungry to
dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation; 37 And sow the
fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase. 38 He
blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth
not their cattle to decrease. 39 Again, they are minished and brought
low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. 40 He poureth contempt
upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there
is no way. 41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and
maketh him families like a flock. 42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
Psalm 107: 43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.
We often think of the lovingkindness of God when we consider the
redemption He provided for us through the blood of Jesus, and as we see God's blessings and help for us. We're also reminded here of the lovingkindness of God
in correction and discipline to turn us from transgressions and back to
Him and His ways. And we see lovingkindness in God's judgment, rewarding the humble and stopping the mouth of the wicked, for the wicked vex the righteous.