Five times throughout Psalm 107, the phrase “And he delivered them from their distress” is repeated four times, and “he delivered them from their destruction,” one time. God is our deliverer!
- Psalm 107:6-7: “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.” God brought the Israelites safely home out of the wilderness, and typifies anyone who has not found the satisfaction from knowing God. True contentment comes from fulfilling the Lord’s purpose for your life.
- Psalm 107:13-14: “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble; and he delivered them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.” The children of Israel were in prison when in Babylon (v. 10, 14, & 17) because they had rebelled against the Lord and they cried out in repentance. God showed His goodness to them in their trouble. Anyone who rejects God’s message is imprisoned in sin, and only Jesus can give light to those who sit in spiritual darkness (Luke 1:79).
- Psalm 107:19: “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.” The people showed foolishness and deliberate disobedience and rebellion against God. God offers His gift of forgiveness to anyone. When you ask God to take control of your life, He will answer.
- Psalm 107:20: “He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.” The Word of God is compared to medicine that God sends for healing. Physical healing abides in God’s control.
- Psalm 107:28-29: “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.” God provides in ways we can’t even imagine. We must pray in time of safety as well as in the storms of life.
Those who have not been through hard trials will not have empathy for others going through the school of hard knocks. One cannot give comfort where comfort has not been received. Those who have humbly experienced suffering with health, grief, injustice, loss, and various financial or relationship needs, must eventually learn to see God maturing them during their seasons of life. Total obedience is required in our perseverance and steadfastness in clinging to our great shepherd. That sometimes is the hard part – while going through one’s wilderness and needing – perhaps pleading for a Red Sea deliverance. But when you at some point, visually see God answering your prayers, you have greater joy and praise that can’t always be verbalized and is felt deep in your soul. That is a “Bravo God!” moment!
I am looking forward to taking a trip to visit my parents and family in the Midwest. My dad has a 101-year-old sister that looks amazing and my parents are 92. I want to hear their stories of how God has delivered them in their distresses throughout their life time. While we are there I want to gather our family’s Christian legacy of godly wisdom obtained in life, so I can pass on all of their Christian testimony of insight learned, to my children and grandchildren. They obviously don’t have employment stresses at their age, but have sufferings with various health issues instead. But my parents still praise the goodness of God in their life despite their physical concerns.
There is the word “but” used in Psalm 107:41: “But he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.” God’s purpose is never to destroy us but to cleanse and purify us. We need to maintain our focus only on God, and meditate on the “steadfast love of the LORD,” Ps. 107:43b, and not forget to offer our sacrifice of thanksgiving, verse 22.
God will always accomplish His purpose in His time.
So what are we supposed to do while waiting for our deliverance from any situation?
- Redirect our attention on the Lord and not the problem.
- Reach out to a Christian friend and ask for their prayer support.
- Reflect on past answers to prayers.
- Recite scripture verses that have comforted you in the past.
- Read the Psalms.
- Rejoice in the Lord. Philippians 4:4.
- Relax in the Lord. Philippians 4:5.
- Rest in the Lord. Philippians 4:7.
What do you do to relax and de-stress?
What are the three substitutes for worry?
Who is your godly model at handling the not so pleasant times in life?
Assignment for today: May I go about my day today giving praise and thanksgiving to God for His new mercy He has given to me for this specific day. As the author of Psalm 107, concludes: “. . . Consider the steadfast love of the LORD.” Psalm 107:43b.
Listen to The Afters “Battles” song: