March 1st, 2015
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

We Cry Out

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Eternal Lord, You are the light of those who know You and the hope of those who seek You. I bless Your holy name.

Read Psalm 107:1-43

[1] Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. [2] Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story- those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, [3] those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. [4] Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. [5] They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. [6] Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. [7] He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. [8] Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, [9] for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. [10] 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. [15] Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, [16] for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron. [17] Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. [18] They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. [19] Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. [20] He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. [21] Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. [22] Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy. [23] Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. [24] They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep. [25] For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. [26] They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. [27] They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end. [28] Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. [29] He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. [30] They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. [31] Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. [32] Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders. [33] He turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground, [34] and fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who lived there. [35] He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs; [36] there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle. [37] They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest; [38] he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish. [39] Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow; [40] he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste. [41] But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks. [42] The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths. [43] Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the LORD.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Meditate

“Thanksgiving and praise will lead us to declare the goodness of God for the many ways he has blessed us by his grace” (T.M. Moore).

Think Further

Public confession has become an art form today. For example, a politician cheated on his wife then “did the right thing” by admitting it, only after getting caught. Instead of resigning in disgrace he wrote a book, made a movie and now regularly appears on celebrity television. No matter, he still looks strong, tanned and handsome.

The writer of this psalm was no celebrity, but he does give sound advice on how to seek God’s forgiveness and help. The key phrase occurs four times with slight variations, “They cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress” (6,13,19, and 28). What’s interesting about the four kinds of trouble mentioned is that two were the result of sin and two were not. The prisoners envisioned here had “rebelled against God’s commands” (11), while those sick were receiving the result of their “rebellious ways” and “iniquities” (17). We must be careful not to assume that every hardship or setback is God’s penalty for sin (see John 9:1-3). That can be incredibly cruel. But the fact is, we’re all sinners and we all need forgiveness. The way to receive it is not to hold a press conference. Rather, as the psalmist tells us, it’s to cry out humbly to God.

The second form of trouble is not the result of sin; here the psalmist envisions the homeless (4,5) and those in peril on the sea (23-27). What an incredible comfort to know that God is there in our time of trial. This psalm teaches us a very important truth about God: he loves to save people. More than that, he’s willing to act on behalf of both sinners and saints who humbly cry out to him. That’s “the great love of the Lord” (43).

Apply

What’s the most memorable way God has worked in your life? In what ways would you say God has redeemed you?

Closing prayer

Faithful God, I can only echo the words of the psalmist, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever” (1).

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