Fostering Thankfulness: In the Wilderness: 107:1-9

Fostering Thankfulness: In the Wilderness

Psalm 107:1-9

The Cry of the Redeemed (v. 1-3)

• Psalm 107 begins the 5^th book of the Psalter
  • The book of Psalms is divided into 5 smaller books
  • The last section focuses on praise
• The call is to praise God if you have experienced His love
  • Redeemed: Brought out of some bad circumstance
• The 4 corners of the earth allude to God’s work throughout the world
  • As well as His gathering of His people into His care

 

The Lord of the Lost (v. 4-7)

• The psalmist describes those who wandered (v. 4)
  • This can be both literal & metaphorical
    • Without direction
      • Divorce, job loss, failure, sudden change
    • The result can be both physical & spiritual hunger & thirst (v. 5)
      • Looking to fill the void
    • Sometimes we are lost:
      • Because we have gone astray
      • Because we have become unfocused
      • Because of things beyond our control
      • Because we really have been going the wrong way for too long
    • The psalmist encourages us that help comes when we call out to God (v. 6)
      • He gives direction
      • He leads us home
    • This reflects the heart of Jesus (Luke 15:4-7)
      • Jesus rescues the lost
        • And leads them to repentance
          • Turning from their own wandering to follow Him
        • Jesus will meet us where we are
          • And lead us to where we need to be
          • Because He is Lord of the lost!
        • He not only provides a way for us
          • He is the way for us! (John 14:6)
        • He calls us to follow Him closely
          • Not always giving us the destination (Ps. 119:105)
          • Like Abraham
          • Like the Israelites & the pillar of fire & smoke

 

Thankfulness in the Wilderness (v. 8-9)

• The psalmist calls us to be thankful because of what God has done
  • Delivering those who wander
• And to have a vision of God’s provision for the future
  • Leading us to good places
  • Even if where we are now doesn’t seem so good

 

So What?

• When we feel lost, do we turn to God for help?
• Do we understand that sometimes being ‘lost’ means that He is really putting us onto the right path?
  • Learning to follow Him more closely

 

Meditation Verse: Ps. 107:6