Psalm 107: The Song of God’s Rescue (Part Three)

Today we close our look at the song of God’s rescue, Psalm 107. Monday we saw the reality of life’s struggles and yesterday we examined some of the causes of those trials. Today, the psalmist gives us a world of challenge, calling us to wisdom…

The Challenge In Despair- Be Wise! (v.43)

• See the condition of man;
• See the sovereignty of God;
• See the lovingkindness of the Lord.

The book of Hosea closes on just such a note as this- a sober reminder not to be carried away by eloquence. We dare not…

• Respond with shallowness to what God has done in depth; or,
• Allow ourselves a purely imaginative participation with a chapter in ancient history.

Be wise! It is God Himself that the reader is to consider in these pictures of peril and rescue, and it is the steadfastness of God that the reader is now to praise with new insight!

This song demands that we not limit our thanksgiving to God to those times when life is easy, fun, good, and prosperous. We are called to give thanks and glory to Him in all the circumstances of life.

The conclusion of this psalm transforms the hymn of thanksgiving and praise into a wisdom psalm. The righteous will become wise by studying the interventions of the Lord in the affairs of men- so that even in adversity the believer learns to know God better, and trust Him to make all things well. Why? Because God’s acts of love are constant!

Again, we are pierced by the truth of it- that what happens to us is not nearly as significant as how we respond to what happens to us. It is a certainty that we will respond to the trials of life either with the happy certainty of the heart that believes in a rescuing God, or the bitter despair of the heart that has lost hope. Can you sing his song of rescue today? Irish poet George Russell, wrote hauntingly,

In ancient shadows and twilights

Where childhood has strayed

The world’s greatest sorrows were born and its heroes were made

And in the lost boyhood of Judas

Christ was betrayed.

How do we respond to life’s pain, sorrow and disappointment?

Why God did it have to happen to me? OR

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him- for He is the God of rescue!

Well did John Newton write…

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come.

Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home!