From Psalm 107: 1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble 3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. 4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to an inhabited town; 5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. 6Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; 7 he led them by a straight way, until they reached an inhabited town. 8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. 9 For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things. 43 Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
There is a song from my youth where one of the refrains says these words, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so," and we, of course, would yell after singing that, "SO!" It was our wise acre affirmation of that belief. In reading it and knowing what I know now, many are those who say it matter of factly as a snide question; so? The intention of the psalmist was the first response; God is so awesome, we should know it! The affirmation is not in the so, it is in the first verse, we thank God because God is good (all the time), and God's love for us never ends! That is what we should be sharing.
David knew that we sometimes find ourselves in trouble, and God steps in and helps us out. Sometimes our souls wander, but when we seek God, we find our way back. God's love is universal and seeks all people; as people respond to that love they are gathered in from the four points of the compass. Those who have found themselves in the "desert wastes" of feeling unloved or unwanted, in God's love they find new love and a new longing. Those who are hungry and thirsty for that which truly satisfied find in God's love the quenching of their thirst and the satisfaction of their hunger. All who cry out for help in God get their prayers answered. The path is made easier until they find the place where they are welcomed and helped by others in community. Today's Upper Room devotional shares that thought. A man, who from childhood, has had anger issues, struggled and lost friends, girlfriends, and even jobs, until a young, calm pastor said he could help "cool the anger that is burning your alive." He was invited by this pastor to a Bible study group where the group loved him and accepted him and helped him with that anger. Such is the purpose of the church to welcome and love all.
The rest of this psalm speaks to the need for the people of God to thank God. God is good, but tell somebody! Share some of the wonderful things that God has done for you. Your wisdom will show when you listen and do these things shared by the psalm, and accept for your life the "steadfast love of the Lord." Amen!
PRAYER: God of love, embrace and hold me in that steadfast love. Let me be faithful in seeking You the rest of today. Let me also seek opportunities to share Your awesomeness with all who will hear, especially those who need it the most. Thank You for being good all the time in my life. This I pray in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
