Psalm 107 contains a pattern which paints a picture. The pattern is repeated four times. It goes like this. It begins with a kind of poetic depiction of life without God; wandering in the desert wasteland, sitting in darkness and gloom, becoming foolish through rebellion and being tossed around on a stormy sea. Each picture climaxes in the statement: “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble.” This is the turning point moment when God comes in and changes things. The exhortation of the psalm, repeated each of the four times is, “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love”. It is strange how reticent we often are to call out to God in our need. It seems to be the last thing that comes to mind when it should be the first. We seem to want to take control of things on our own, but we cause ourselves so much grief as a result. Psalm 107 is inviting us to bring every circumstance into conversation with God. When things are hard, we are encouraged to call out to God, and when things go well, we are encouraged to give thanks. Giving thanks when things go well puts us in the right frame of mind to respond to the difficult situations when they come. As we recognise God in the good times we will remember God in the difficult times and be quicker to call on him in our need. God wants to get his hands on your life, not just sporadically, but permanently. Use both good and bad situations to call on God and acknowledge him.
Recall your own experiences of God’s help and give thanks to him.
Read Psalm 107
