Devotion in Psalm 107

I think one of the most critical disciplines in the Christian life is to read through the Bible and have devotion time daily. Over the years I have been amazed at the number of people in the church who are so casual about this area of their lives. Whenever I have the opportunity to teach as I did this past year, almost without fail my first recommendation is read through the entire Bible. I have often wanted to survey the class but would estimate that less than 5% have actually read completely through the Bible. Earlier this month I received a phone call from someone who was a former member at the Shepherd's Church. This person said that they had listened to me for years exhort people just to read the Bible daily. Finally, over a year ago, they decided to just start reading each day but with an attitude of "is this really going to make a difference?" It has been incredible to watch what the Lord has done in this person's life over the past year. They have become so God-centered that it has radically changed their thoughts and actions in every area of life. It may be that God wants to do the same for you, so allow me to encourage you to get in the word so the word can get into you!

This morning I read and meditated on Psalm 107 in the New Living Translation. The Psalm starts out talking about the faithful love of the LORD. And the Psalm ends talking about the same thing. In the middle you can see the different types of people that the LORD redeems for Himself.
- In verse 4 are those who have wandered in the desert and are lost and homeless.
- In verse 10 are those who sat in darkness and deepest gloom who are miserable in prison
- In verse 17 are those who were fools in their rebellion and suffered for their sins
- In verse 23 are those who went off in ships plying the trade routes of the world

These represent all kinds of people in all kinds of circumstances in all kinds of places all over the world.

As you read this Psalm you will notice the response that each one of them has in their situation. "LORD, help me, I am in trouble." Just think about what that phrase means. This is a person that not only recognizes their pain, but now takes the necessary responsibility for it, and they upon the only Person who can solve their pain, the LORD Himself. Read and meditate carefully on the response of the LORD to one who genuinely cries out for help.

"He saved them from their distress"
"He saved them from their distress"
"He saved them from their distress"
"He saved them from their distress"

And finally would you notice their response to being saved.

"Praise the LORD for His great love"
"Praise the LORD for His great love"
"Praise the LORD for His great love"
"Praise the LORD for His great love"

Their praise was the result of the LORD saving them, and He save them based upon their crying out to Him, in the recognition of their pain. Are you in the desert of life today wandering around, have you been continuing to rebel against the God of this universe, are you in a job that has captured your delight and passion more than Christ Himself or are you imprisoned by the sin of something like pornography? Why not cry out to the LORD? If you do so He will save you from your distress and the results will be obvious because you will PRAISE Him for His great love!