In today’s reading of Psalm 107, we come to the second section – verses 10-22. In many respects, this Psalm is a description of the various lows and highs of the Christian life. For example, we notice that – four times – the Psalmist addresses the life of trouble (verses 6, 13, 19, and 28). We recognize that, at some point in life, every Christian experiences trouble (cf., August 13, Day 226 – Is It Worth the Trouble?). Here, the Psalmist identifies some of our troubles as life “in the desert” (verse 4); life “in the darkness” (verse 10); life in “distress” (verse 19); and “life in the depths” (verse 26). However, in every case, the Psalmist reports that these people came to a point where “they cried out to the LORD in their trouble and He delivered them … saved them … rescued them … and brought them out of their trouble” (see also verses 6, 13, 19, and 28). Each section of this Psalm concludes with “Let them give thanks for His unfailing love” (verses 8, 15, 21, and 31). In verses 10-22, we see that these people were in darkness (actually, in prison; cf., verse 6) because they “rebelled and despised the counsel of the Most High” (verse 11). This is a good example of how we add complexity to our lives by our decisions (cf., August 12, Day 225 – The Cost of Complexities). As Christians, we need to understand how our decisions have serious consequences; “despising the counsel of the Most High” simply leads to a bad end. Thankfully, the Psalm reveals repeatedly that God wants to deliver us from our distress if we cry out to Him for help. He wants to help us out of our predicament.
Interestingly, Isaiah proclaims this same theme – deliverance from our distress – in chapters 33-35. Apart from a faith-based relationship with God, mankind lives in constant and severe distress. In chapter 33, Isaiah refers to the Assyrians as His example of distresses that troubled the Israelites – based on decisions they made. He says, “Woe to you O destroyer, you who have not been destroyed … when you stop destroying, you will be destroyed” (verse 1). Isaiah describes the trouble they caused – “brave men cry aloud in the streets; the envoys weep bitterly; the highways are deserted; and no one is respected – the land wastes away” (verses 7-9). But God desires to lift us out from our dilemma - “it is He [alone] Who will save us” (verse 22). Isaiah 34 warns us – the LORD is angry with all nations” (verse 2). This chapter provides a picture of future judgment - the “day of vengeance and retribution” (verse 8) - a clear prophetic reference to the coming tribulation. In chapter 35, Isaiah gives us a prophetic picture of the “glory and splendor of our God” (verse 2). “The eyes of the blind will be opened; the ears of the deaf unstopped; and the lame will leap like a deer” (verse 5-6). But “only the redeemed will walk there – everlasting joy will crown their heads” (verses 9-10). This is a clear picture of Christ’s Messianic kingdom.
Today we also look at the book of Galatians - God’s charter of Christian liberty. In this book, Paul tells us that the Galatians were quickly prone to desert the faith and to turn away to a “different gospel – which is really no gospel at all” (verse 6). This “perversion was throwing the Galatian believers into confusion” (verse 7). Thus, in chapter 1, we learn two things: [1] the only valid gospel is that which is revealed by Jesus Christ. Belief in anything other than the gospel of Jesus Christ will result in God’s curse (verses 8-9). “Even if an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (verse 8). Any perversion of the pure and simple gospel of Jesus Christ always leads to confusion. [2] We learn from Paul’s own example – as a persecutor of the early church – that no sin is too great to keep God from saving us. Thank and praise God for the lessons of our readings today!
Comments