2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
Psalm 107 contains multiple exhortations to give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and steadfast love. But the psalmist does not present these attributes in the abstract. Rather, God’s goodness and love are demonstrated in His manifold acts of deliverance, all of which come as answers to prayer.
As we prepare to gather corporately for prayer next week (Wed, Aug 6, 6:30pm), let’s consider the kinds of trouble from which the Lord is eager to deliver us…and how we might petition Him together:
4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;
5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.
8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
Verses 4-9 seem to depict those suffering in a spiritual wasteland. While the verses note wandering in deserts wastes, three times the text mentions the yearning/longing/hunger of the soul. Therefore, the scenario is not merely a difficult journey across a barren topography, but a metaphorical depiction of a dry spiritual season.
How many of us at times find ourselves struggling in a season of dryness? We open the Word, but find it dull. We try to pray, but have few words. We find ourselves parched and hungry spiritually. The psalm indicates, “they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them…” We may pray for help during these times, but how often do we ask others to pray for us and with us?
If you’re enduring such a season, why not take one minute to click this link and ask your fellow brothers and sisters to pray for you at the prayer gathering?
10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.
13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.
15 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
16 For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.
What could verses 10-16 address but those separated from God in the deadness of trespasses and sins? There is no worse trouble than sin and no deeper darkness than its consequences, temporal and eternal. Once again, in response to prayer—an appeal for rescue—the Lord brings them out of darkness, death, and slavery.
How many of us have family members (spouse, child, sibling, parent), neighbors, co-workers, and friends who are utterly lost? All of us! How many of us are praying for them regularly? Hopefully, all of us.
Who is that person whose lostness most burdens you? Who would you most like to see repent, trust in Christ, and worship the One True God? Why not take one minute to click this link and ask your brothers and sisters to join you in intercession for that person by name at the prayer gathering?
17 Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
21 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
Here in verses 17-22 the psalmist mentions those who through their own failures have brought trouble upon themselves. These instances include the sudden moment of sinful indiscretion and the repetitive return to an old, familiar sin. Still, the goodness and steadfast love of the Lord is on display in that when called for help, here too He answers with deliverance!
As we each progress toward Christlikeness, there are areas of sin that seem more difficult to kill than others. Certainly, we are right to pray. Still, James 5:16 indicates that confession to and prayer with the church is a means of breaking free from sin: Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. This does not mean a confession has to be extremely detailed. Members of our congregation have carefully shared such prayer requests in the past, asking for prayer in the fight against pride, fear of man, and anxiety.
If you are struggling with a besetting sin and its temporal chains, why not take one minute to click this link and ask your brothers and sisters to join you in the fight by praying for you at the prayer gathering?
23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
Verses 23-32 depict those enduring trials and failing to respond in faith. Notice how the psalmist shows God be the ultimate author of these trials. He raises the stormy winds and lifts the waves of the sea. We often respond like those in the psalm. Rather than trusting our sovereign God, our courage “melts away,” we “reel” and “stagger.” We find ourselves at our “wits’ end.” This section reminds us that in these seasons as well the Lord is poised to respond to those who cry out for deliverance.
What trials are you facing right now? How are you responding? In faith or in fear? Your prayer for deliverance may be answered in the form of the storm’s dissipation or in the form of your strengthened endurance. Either way, the Lord is faithful to answer the prayer for help in times of trouble.
Many times it is our own pride that prevents us from sharing our trials and need for prayer. We either resist sharing because we don’t want to be vulnerable about how we’re struggling, or we think others’ troubles are worse than ours and that we can/should endure this on our own. This is conceit veiled as concern for others. The notion that I can endure any trial on my own is biblically misinformed and prideful. I need God; I need prayer.
You know what you’re facing. Why not take one minute to click this link and briefly share it with your brothers and sisters, asking them to intercede for you at the prayer gathering?
33 He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,
34 a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants.
35 He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water.
36 And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in;
37 they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield.
38 By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish.
39 When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
40 he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.
42 The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth.
43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.
What glorious language to depict the rescue that awaits those who ask the Lord for deliverance and trust Him for it. The Lord is good and loving; He delights to help the troubled and afflicted. Let us come to him with our petitions and let us do so corporately.
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