Wednesday, April 29, 2015

In Praise of God's Goodness

photo from Morguefile.com

Selections from Psalm 107
Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good;
    his love is eternal!”
Some wandered in the trackless desert
    and could not find their way to a city to live in.
They were hungry and thirsty
    and had given up all hope.
Then in their trouble they called to the Lord,
    and he saved them from their distress.
He led them by a straight road
    to a city where they could live.
They must thank the Lord for his constant love,
    for the wonderful things he did for them.
Some were living in gloom and darkness,
    prisoners suffering in chains,
because they had rebelled against the commands of Almighty God
    and had rejected his instructions.
Then in their trouble they called to the Lord,
    and he saved them from their distress.
He brought them out of their gloom and darkness
    and broke their chains in pieces.
They must thank the Lord for his constant love,
    for the wonderful things he did for them.
Some were fools, suffering because of their sins
    and because of their evil;
they couldn't stand the sight of food
    and were close to death.
Then in their trouble they called to the Lord,
    and he saved them from their distress.
He healed them with his command
    and saved them from the grave.
They must thank the Lord for his constant love,
    for the wonderful things he did for them.
Some sailed over the ocean in ships,
    earning their living on the seas.
They saw what the Lord can do,
    his wonderful acts on the seas.
He commanded, and a mighty wind began to blow
    and stirred up the waves.
The ships were lifted high in the air
    and plunged down into the depths.
In such danger the sailors lost their courage;
they stumbled and staggered like drunks—
    all their skill was useless.
Then in their trouble they called to the Lord,
    and he saved them from their distress.
He calmed the raging storm,
    and the waves became quiet.
They were glad because of the calm,
    and he brought them safe to the port they wanted.
They must thank the Lord for his constant love,
    for the wonderful things he did for them.
They must proclaim his greatness in the assembly of the people
    and praise him before the council of the leaders.
May those who are wise think about these things;
    may they consider the Lord's constant love.

As I read this passage of Scripture, the repeated phrases, highlighted in yellow, jumped out at me. I began to think, What if I took out the reports of what the people endured, and substituted an account from my own life? What if I deleted the words relating how God cared for his people in their distress, and instead wrote how He has cared for me? 

Will you join me in this exercise, inserting your faith stories and blessings? As we wisely consider the Lord’s constant love, our faith will increase and we will gain peace, even in the midst of challenges. Seeing, plainly spelled out, just what God has done for us in the past, gives us hope and renewed faith for the present and future.

Be encouraged!
Pam

©2015 Pamela D. Williams