Have you wandered too far from God to be rescued? Are your troubles too difficult for Him? Psalm 107 reflects on the many different times and ways Israel turned away from God, got themselves in deep trouble and how, by His enduring love, He brought them back. In a curious way, it also foreshadows how the rescue of Jesus meets us in our particular circumstances, no matter how we have wandered away. The psalm is too long to be quoted here, but read it for yourself to see all the similarities.
For example, Psalm 107 says:
Some wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress. (Psalm 107:4-6)
If you have wandered and found yourself hungry and thirsty for God, craving inner peace and nourishment, Jesus said,
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)
Psalm 107 says:
Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 because they rebelled against God’s commands
and despised the plans of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
and broke away their chains. (Psalm 107:10-14)
Jesus said:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
See what I mean? You’ll see many parallels. Jesus told a parable about the shepherd who searches far and wide for the lost sheep. If we are willing, He’ll find us and rescue us, no matter what. God’s enduring love comes to us through Jesus. Take some time to ponder how each of the scenarios in Psalm 107 may have been (or may currently be) symbolic of your life circumstances. Then, note how, in each one, there is repeated something like this:
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress. (Psalm 107:6)
God is not unaware of our troubles. He does not force help upon us but waits for us to ask. Jesus refers to those who “come to Me” and those who “follow Me” for the same reason. If you need His help, cry out for it, turn to Him.
The Psalm also repeats this important reminder:
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love (Psalm 107:8)
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