Psalm 107

There is something about someone who is crying out! Crying out denotes a desperation that cannot be conveyed by a mere statement. A child crying out is the one the parents respond to. There is something about crying out that captures Father God’s attention too.

When we are satisfied with where we are we don’t cry out. Even though we may say we want change, as long as we are comfortable we won’t cry out. BUT, when we get tired of where we are, when we get desperate, so very desperate we begin to cry out to Father God. And when we cry out in desperation, He hears us! He comes to lift us out of where we are. Just look at what He has recorded in His Word:

“Give thanks to the LORD for He is good; His love endures forever………. Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD.”

This is the opening and closing remarks of Psalm 107. In this Psalm the Psalmist recounts how when people cry out to the LORD He comes to deliver them. We are to consider, or not forget, these things. It’s when we forget that we find ourselves sliding back to the place we once were, because when we forget we don’t cry out. Too often we get so busy trying to fix everything ourselves, all the while going down further and further. When we remember with thanksgiving where we once were and remember how God showed up we can have faith that He will show up again! IF we will just cry out! Because when Daddy shows up He moves on our behalf.

Wanders
V. 4-9 tell the story of the wanders, those searching for rest and fulfillment but never finding it. They are never settled. Eventually the things that once satisfied no longer satisfies. They are continually hungry and thirsty. But when they CRY in their trouble the LORD delivers them from their distress! When they are desperate and cry to Him, He shows up! Not only does he show up He leads them to a place of settlement and rest. He satisfies their hunger and thirst!

Prisoners 
V. 10-16 talks about the ones in prison, they are ever in darkness, suffering, chained to what they hate. They are in this place because they have not been obedient to walk in God’s ways. It sounds like God is being the bad guy when it says, “He subjected them to bitter labor”. To me this means God wasn’t blessing their mess. We can see He wasn’t against them (He was against their sin because it was making them prisoners). We know He wasn’t against them because when the CRIED out to the LORD He saved them from their distress! He brought them out of darkness and removed their chains. He broke down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron—- He was serious about setting them free and nothing was going to stop Him!

Rebellious 

V. 17-22 details the rebellious who become foolish. They were suffering because of their iniquity, sin, yet they hated the food (God’s Word). They are so contrary yet refuses wisdom and so find themselves near death (not that they were near physical death necessarily but they have no life or vitality). But then…. they CRY out to the LORD!! He listens to their cry and saves them from their distress. But, not only that, He also sends His Word (the very thing they hated) and heals them and rescues them from death!