Today’s study comes from Psalm 107: 1-16. This Psalm is from the Fifth Book of Psalms and relates to the situation of the Israelites after they returned from Babylonian Captivity. There are four pictures of people in distress. In verses 4-9, we see lost travelers crossing a distress. Verses 10-16 depict captives in darkness facing death. Verses 17-22 details foolish transgressors who are sick and about to die. A very graphic scene is recorded of season in a storm in verses 23-32. The four scenes are illustrative of the perils which the Jews faced in leaving Babylonian captivity to return to their homeland. God heard their cry, and delivered them out of their distress. These four pictures are also types of individuals who are in sin and far from God. The last section of the Psalm (vv. 33-43) recounts God’s sovereign rule over the earth and the affairs of men. God’s providential care of the world is an outflow of His steadfast love.
The first section is “A Call to Thanksgiving.” (vv. 1-3) We are to give thanks to the Lord for He is worthy of praise not only for what He does, but for who He is. He is good and His mercy endures forever. The Hebrew word for mercy is “hesed” and refers to His covenant-keeping, steadfast love. God keeps His side of the covenant even when we don’t. Those who should be most involved with giving thanks, are the redeemed. Those who have been delivered from the “hand of the enemy,” and who were returning to their homeland, should be most thankful. We, who have been delivered from the penalty of sin, should also be most thankful. Those who have experienced His grace should sound forth His praise.
The second section is “Wandering in the Wilderness.” (vv. 4-9) The Jews traveling back from captivity would be crossing the northern stretches of the Arabian Desert. The tracks to follow were often obliterated by wind-driven sand. Small villages offered meager provisions. To be lost without food or water in the desert would mean certain death. As the Jews travelled, they "found no city to dwell in." They became "hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted in them." They were overtaken by exhaustion produced by a lack of food and drink. "Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble." When times are difficult, often men will be driven to turn to God for help. God will deliver "them out of their distresses." God would "lead them forth by the right way." Our God is faithful to aid those that call on Him for help. God led them "by the right way," to a city of habitation. We now come to the reoccurring chorus of the psalm: "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" God has shown His loving care to an underserving mankind. This that have called upon Him have received His redemptive power. Once you have experienced His salvation, you cannot but help to "Praise ye the Lord."
The third section is "Imprisoned Captives." (vv. 10-16) Some of the Jews were resettled in their lands of captivity, but others were imprisoned (King Jehoiachin, for example). Others were imprisoned in the darkness of fear and loss of hope. It seemed as if they were in a dark cell with no hope. They were "being bound in affliction and iron." (verse 10) This had occurred because they had "rebelled against the words of God." (verse 11) God had been faithful to show them their duty, but they refused and bondage was the result. I remember the old saying, "Sin will take you farther than you wanted to go, will keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and make you pay more than you ever wanted to pay." Verse 12 states that God in His mercy "brought down their heart with labour." He would humble their pride and self-sufficiency, that they might repent and turn back to Him. When the Israelites reached the end of themselves and had no hope, then "they cried unto the LORD in their trouble." God heard their prayer and "saved them out of their distresses." God "brought them out of [their] darkness" and into His light. When a soul experiences spiritual awakening and comes to Jesus Christ, he or she knows they have been forgiven and they now have hope. Sinful habits are broken. No matter the sinful hold, Jesus Christ can break the best hold Satan has placed on the sinner. Verse fifteen repeats the chorus in verse eight. When you are redeemed, you cannot but help to praise the LORD for what He has done for you!God has "broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder." God, by His power, had set the captives free. And yes, He is still saving people today!
The Golden Text is, "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD." (Psalm 92: 1) The literal translation is, "Good is it to give thanks unto Jehovah." We have so much to be thankful for: life, health, food, clothes, air, water, friends, minds that can remember good things, and most importantly, the offer of salvation paid for by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Living in a state of thanksgiving brings about a better state of mind. Life is better when one is thankful and praises the One who is Worthy to be praised.
My summary points:
1. We are called to give thanks for all God has done for us.
2. Christians are strangers and aliens in this world and we need God's provision and protection.
3. Those who will not be bound by God's laws will be bound by sin.
Next week's lesson: "Blessed is the Man." Psalms 112: 1-10
Don't forget to read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
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