The Word, The Truth, The Life

Jeremiah‬ ‭33:2-3,6-8‬ ‭- Thus says the LORD who made it [the word], the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name): "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." ... Behold, I will bring it [Jerusalem] health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. And I will cause the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel to return, and will rebuild those places as at the first. I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me."

It always amazes me to read how the nation of the Israel of the Old Testament and we as individuals are similar when it comes to God's redemption and salvation. God has always used His Word as an example by which we can learn.

Israel and the Jews are God's chosen people. However, just like every people group in this world, all have turned their backs on God. Romans 3:23 states: ...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... And when I think on that scripture, Proverbs 16:2-3 comes to mind: All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established.

I think about all God has ever wanted from His creation, the people. He has always wanted nothing but each person to stop turning their backs on Him and acknowledging Him as God, the Creator. But we all have failed miserably. It's why He sent His Son Jesus. All we need do is call on His name (from a very true heart) and be saved. And then learn of Him through His Word, follow Him, like His disciples, share the Gospel.

But what does the Word say again? All have sinned and fallen short...we all think we know in our own minds what is right, apart from God. Apart from God our works are filthy rags, but through knowledge and devotion to Him, He will establish our ways. It's not what many want to hear.

So, the opening verses are telling us just what God wanted to do with Old Testament Israel (and still does). God eventually allowed the Gentiles into His sovereign picture. He allowed them to be grafted in to become children of God also...mainly as a means to make the Hebrews jealous, that they might turn back to Him. After all, Jesus died for all mankind.

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.‭‭ ...who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ...who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time... (1John‬ ‭2:2‬ , 1Timothy‬ ‭2:4,6‬)

I think about all the denominations in this world, most in existence by mere man. Each has their own idea how church should be, how God desires us to worship Him. And I think again of our works as filthy rags and His not wanting sacrifices but our obedience to Him, heeding His words over the works thing. (1Samuel 15:22) And I think about how some believe only certain people will go to heaven. He died for all…who would receive Him.

If we hear Him, heed His words, obey what we hear (through reading the Word), He will bring the healing as mentioned above. With healing will come peace and truth. He restores lives. We seek God to know the truth. We seek Jesus because He is the way, truth and life and provides the way to this forgiveness. This forgiveness of sins  is the part about all having sinned and falling short of God's glory. If we submit to Him He will cleanse us, make us whole in His sight, and we will become His children.

I heard someone say that because He created all of us we are automatically His children. It doesn't work this way. We must be saved, which God has been trying to show us through the Old Testament and Israel and the New Testament through Jesus. It's true we are all God's creation (Colossians 1:16) and God loves all people (John 3:16) but, according to Jesus, we must be born again (John 3:7). That's where the restoration takes place.

Jesus is called our Redemption, our Healer, our Peace, the Truth, the only Way, and the Life. This cannot be denied. Without Jesus/God, we are lost. He makes Himself known to us. We seek Him for the answers...the truth...not what the world--man--declares. His declarations are for all to view in His Word. He says, "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)

We do not know until we seek and find. When He sees a heart willing to seek and wanting to know, He will show great things which we just don't know until we have received Him and His Spirit, through being born again! It's a wonderful thing to know and understand. It's not agonizing! It so sets everything in this world into a proper perspective. We can understand why the world is as it is, has been...and will be. We can understand that only Jesus gives us this understanding. He brings us peace. Who doesn't want this peace?

1John‬ ‭1:8-10‬ ‭- If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

The Foreigner

Ruth 2:8-9 - Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women. Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.”

I read the Book of Ruth yesterday. It's a story of redemption. Ruth was the daughter in law of Naomi who had lost her husband and both of her sons, leaving only her two daughters in law. Naomi was from Moab.  Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem where her husband was originally from because she had heard the LORD had removed a famine it once had and Moab offered less. (This is a type of the world...what it has is far less than what God has for us.) She was to become a foreigner.

Naomi suggested the daughters in law stay in Moab. She had not much life to offer them, they were familiar with the land of Moab and its people. But Ruth chose to go with Naomi. 

They had little possessions and stayed with a relative of Naomi's husband...Boaz. Ruth went into his field to collect leftover crops to sustain she and Naomi when Boaz caught sight of her. Here's where the redemption comes in because He provides the food and the drink that satisfies! 

The words are so clearly used to describe God's love for us. Ruth came in total submission, in humility, needing much, having little. "And she said, 'Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.' So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.” (Ruth 2:7)

Boaz, who is a type of the Lord, heard and offered what he had.  For this Ruth was most grateful. She did what we who have done,  in some way,  after knowing the help of God in our lives. She fell on her face and bowed before him. It is a question so often asked of believers who have received His provision to save us: Why have I found favor in Your eyes? I am a foreigner (unbeliever). 

His answer to us who have humbled ourselves before the Lord: Because we have chosen to leave what we've known to enter into a relationship with Him and a new people (other believers). I think of the scripture that says: But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1Peter 2:9-10)

Phrases in chapter 2 that point to what Jesus is and does and causes us to do:

...under whose wings you have come for refuge; she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back; gave (shared) what she had kept back after she had been satisfied; who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead. 

In the end, Boaz takes Ruth as his wife. This is like the marriage, some day, of Jesus, our Lord, and we His bride. 

If we have gone through this process of redemption we can understand the points here. And...we are commanded to share, not keep back, what He has shared with us! That's why I write.

Boaz had mercy on this young woman. Jesus has mercy on those who want it from Him. As the story of Ruth goes on, Boaz is taken by her and takes her as his wife. When God is taken by each of us and, whether male or female, He longs for a relationship with us. Bride-bridegroom. To do this we give up what we have known to enter a new life, in Christ, and be joined with Him and others who have forsaken their old lives. 

Ephesians 2:4-7 - But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Consolation, Light and Glory, A Story of Simeon

Luke 2:25-32 - And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”

I love this account of Simeon. If we have given our lives to Christ we can know what Simeon expressed...a peaceful departure because we have seen our salvation and Light of the world. This light is for Jew or Greek...for all mankind. 

Simeon, a Jew, had obviously known the prophecy of a Messiah who would come to redeem God's people. Many had been looking for a political leader who would defeat their enemies. Many today are still looking for this type of man, missing Who already has come. 

So Simeon went to the temple and the Spirit of God revealed to him the baby Jesus. Has the real Jesus been revealed to you?

We can be looking at times for someone or something to redeem us, to take us out of our problem, lifestyle or addiction. Then when we've had enough, we might look to psychiatrists, psychologists, AA, or friends, family or other groups. Does anyone ever consider God first? 

Simeon patiently waited until this particular day and then his waiting was over he was at peace in his spirit. 

We might be knowing something has to change...or not. We might realize we aren't totally satisfied...or maybe haven't yet. I went through this. It took years of "looking for myself" to realize it wasn't about me looking for me, but about Jesus who was looking for me. In an instant realization one morning, like Simeon, I had seen my salvation, the light of the world. He will work in me till my last breath. 

I hadn't noticed the word Consolation before. We know what it means...to be consoled. Another definition is comforter. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, the one who helps us get through our troubles, eases, comforts. This Holy Spirit also is received when we turn to Christ. We can call on Jesus and His Spirit for comfort, consolation. Simeon knew when he saw. I can imagine the comfort he felt as he spoke the words, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace. 

When we turn to Christ and know that He has redeemed us, we too can now depart this world in peace knowing we have seen the Light of our salvation. Are you at peace? Have you seen your Salvation? Are you convinced you will receive eternal life? 

Now That I’ve Held Him in My Arms

2Peter 3:9 - ...beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

It Is Done!

Just as Jesus came into this world to live and minister to many people to bring them into relationship with Him through repentance of their sin, so Jesus will return to bring eternal life to those who have repented...and judgment upon those who have not, who have rejected Him and hardened their hearts to Him. (The Book of Revelation)

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last. (Luke‬ ‭23:44-46‬)

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (Matthew‬ ‭27:50-53‬)

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”... (‭‭John‬ ‭19:30‬)

Similar words used upon His death will be used upon His return. Similar experiences will occur. In both instances, of death and His return, the glory of the Lord is seen. 

Darkness, an earthquake and supernatural events occurred at Jesus' death. When He returns there will be more darkness and an even greater earthquake along with thundering and lightning. How awesome His return will be. I think about the awesomeness of the veil of the temple being rent in two by the power of God to show and bring about the availability of the access between people and He, through His Son, through His death, through His Resurrection...and our decision to receive Him. Hallelujah!

When He returns another voice will proclaim encouraging words to all believers. It is done! Vengeance which is God's alone to administer will be brought about upon those who have rejected Him, who have persecuted God's children through all the ages, those who have waited a long time for this vengeance. 

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation‬ ‭6:9-10‬)

Jesus came to redeem mankind. He will return to exact judgment one final time. Those who received Christ for the redemption of their sins will watch as God brings vengeance upon those who did not. 

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ‭‭(Romans‬ ‭12:19‬)

Oh, Them Days

Revelation‬ ‭9:3-6‬ ‭- Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.
‭‭
Ah, yes. Revelation! The study continues. The Bible shows us in this book what physical signs will happen in our future. Very similar things happened early in the Old Testament also. Remember the plagues? Frogs, lice, boils, thunder, lightening, hail and fire, waters turning to blood so they become undrinkable, and other torments. 

If those happened in the Old Testament, what we see in the New Testament will happen also. God does not lie. He has written the Bible so we may know, be warned...and know there is a Way we can have for hope, protection, eternal life. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. ‭‭(Acts‬ ‭2:19-20‬)

While the plagues of Exodus were mostly earthly, the occurrences in Revelation are more cosmic. Maybe even our growth in technology has something to do with it. 

But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately. Then He said to them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭21:9-11,25-28‬)

These are exciting times for those who trust the Lord, who have responded to His call to allow Him to become Lord and Savior in their life. We see the signs, the wars, rumors of wars. We are to trust Him in all things. We are to realize He is in complete control over all we see happening, especially if we can't make any sense of what's happening. If Revelation teaches anything, it is that we keep looking up because our redemption draws near. But woe to those who scoff. Woe to those who like Pharaoh in the Old Testament rebelled right to the end, allowed his heart to be hardened, perhaps became frightened but would not show it, even after the death of his firstborn son. 

In Revelation it says that there will be a group who do the same. They will refuse to repent of their sin, call on the Lord for salvation and shake their rebellious fists at Him. Any of us could do this if we are not prepared. Even believers. But if we call on Him now and truly trust in Him our chances are much better. We may go through trials, but if we remain steadfast we will be protected and saved by the Lord, Himself. He will make a way where there seems to be no way. (Isaiah 43:19)  Who can comprehend what He can do? Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (Romans‬ ‭11:33)‬ ‭

Though there will be a Day of the Lord where His wrath will come to this earth for its sin and rebellion against Him, for those who know Him, it is the glorious hope talked about in Titus: ...looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ... (Titus‬ ‭2:13)

There's always a positive side to all the Bible tells us. There may seem to be a lot of don't do this or that, but like a father wanting only good for his child, God has to be stern, because He is holy and we are so not. We fall so short of being good...He must separate Himself from us until we receive the free gift of salvation from His Son Jesus. He is the only way. All the accounts in the Bible point us in some way to Him. We must believe all the things in the Bible. If we don't search the scriptures how will we know? We cannot rely on man...only God.

Here's a sobering truth:

2Peter‬ ‭3:2-6‬ ‭- ...that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.

A Hope and A Future

Colossians 1:4-6 - ...since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth...

Paul had been thanking God for these brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae previous to this. He knew what they had received. 

If one have receives Christ as Lord and Savior one has received the hope that is spoken of. And someone has also thanked God for what that person has received. They have heard and comprehended the very truth Paul is speaking of. Perhaps these persons are even sharing that truth...being fruitful and growing His kingdom through it all. 

Paul goes on to say he and other believers continued to pray: For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. (Colossians‬ ‭1:9-12)

We need a daily filling of His knowledge for that spiritual wisdom and understanding that we may abide in and live in accordance with His will. It must be God's wisdom we receive. No one else can provide that wisdom and excellent hope. That comes from His Word. 

Finally Paul gives thanks for the strength only God gives to endure the life of joyful obedience and patience in Christ. He has given us this great inheritance, one that far exceeds what we have in this natural world. Here come the confirming words again from Ecclesiastes: All is vanity, a grasping for the wind. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter [of life]: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. (Ecclesiastes12:13)

He truly is an amazing God. Nothing is impossible with Him. What we absolutely can not imagine, He already knows. What trials we have might just be drawing us closer to Him because He knows the thoughts He has for us...for peace, not evil, for a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) Paul reminded the Colossians that:

Colossians 1:13-14 - He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

Redemption

Ephesians 1:7,14 - In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace...who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. 

In between these two verses about redemption we are given a list of other things we are promised.

• He has made known to us the mystery of His will
• When the last days are here all that He has made will be gathered in Him...if we are in Him, we will be among that gathering
• We have obtained an inheritance by His will
• We have heard the truth which is His gospel of salvation
• We have gained trust in Him
• We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise

Do you realize how amazing this is? Guaranteed redemption! These are not just some words. They are words promised to any who call on the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of our sins. This can be done any time, anywhere. I've heard of people being convicted in a car, at church, in the middle of the night. It happens between you and Jesus. You know in your heart of hearts that He has heard your plea and He has supernaturally entered into you...making you in Him.

I have a note in the margin of my Bible that it says in Him and in Christ appear 36 times in Ephesians. I see them underlined. In Him. I wonder how many times in the New Testament these phrases are found? A quick search online came up with about 201. Depends on the Bible version. At any rate, we are nothing if we are not in Christ. before then we walk according to the course of this world, the prince of the power of the air and the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:1). We live for self and are wrathful against God (2:2-3). That should give one something to think about. 

Do you know that you know you are in Him? You would definitely know of a time if it happened. You would know you'd been changed. It's unlike any other experience you've had. 

God loves us so much He is willing and definitely able to forgive and give us new life in Him through His mercy and grace, not by anything we can do. We are saved to serve; we do not serve to save, I see written in another margin of my Bible! We are made new IN Christ Jesus FOR good works. 

In chapter 2 there are more promises: 

• We've been made alive with Christ after having been dead in our sins
• We sit in the heavenly places in Him and with Him
• We receive the exceeding riches of His grace
• We are reconciled to God after having been separated by our own desires and wills
• Death is no longer in our spiritual vocabulary

And it's all because of Jesus. Being in Christ, in Jesus, in Him. He invites us in. When you hear Him, respond. It will only be good. It's not so hard to do. Only good comes of it because He is only good. 

My prayer always is: 

Ephesians 1:17-19 - ...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power...

Nothing New

Ephesians 1:3-14 - Blessed be the GOD AND FATHER of our Lord Jesus Christ, WHO HAS BLESSED US with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as HE CHOSE US in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having PREDESTINED US to adoption as sons BY Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of HIS will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which HE MADE US accepted in the Beloved. IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION through HIS blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of HIS GRACE which HE MADE TO ABOUND toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to HIS GOOD PLEASURE which HE PURPOSED in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times HE MIGHT GATHER TOGETHER in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. IN HIM also WE HAVE OBTAINED an inheritance, being predestined according to the PURPOSE OF HIM who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the HOLY SPIRIT of promise, WHO IS THE GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of HIS GLORY. 

Nothing new: Not about us; nothing we can do. It starts with His work in us. We just submit to His Son, receive, live out His will for us. We are a purchased possession! We are promised the things of heaven: redemption, adoption, spiritual blessings, an inheritance...all through Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! A free gift; nothing we can do but receive Him...

The Apostle Paul understood. It was God who changed him from Saul who persecuted Christians to Paul who couldn't stop preaching, at any cost, about Jesus. He understood where he had come from and who he now was. He understood his purpose in Christ. He called himself at times an Apostle (follower), a bondservant or prisoner of Christ. He did God's will. 

2Timothy 1:8-9 - Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began...

Oh That Men Would Give Thanks to the Lord, Pt.2

Psalm 107:17-43

These are the last three examples Psalm 107 shows of physical or emotional distress/turmoil and God's wonderful ability to save us.

Fools, because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, were afflicted. Their soul abhorred all manner of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 

Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing. (Verses 17-22)

- God can use our rebellion against Him to draw us to Him through trials of all sorts: drugs, alcohol, food, destructive behavior

- He sent His word and healed him...He sent His Son Jesus to heal the brokenhearted

Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters, they see the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. For He commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves of the sea. They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths; their soul melts because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven. 

Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, and praise Him in the company of the elders. (Vs. 23-32)

- the storms of life can cause us to despair

- cry out to Jesus 

- He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. (‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭2‬)

He turns rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground; a fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of those who dwell in it. 

He turns a wilderness into pools of water, and dry land into watersprings. There He makes the hungry dwell, that they may establish a city for a dwelling place, and sow fields and plant vineyards, that they may yield a fruitful harvest. He also blesses them, and they multiply greatly; and He does not let their cattle decrease. (Vs. 33-38)

- God can allow the distresses in our lives for the very point of turning our focus on Him

- He can turn the tables and bring refreshing upon those who hunger after Him

When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow, He pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way; 

yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, and makes their families like a flock. The righteous see it and rejoice, and all iniquity stops its mouth. 

Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD. (Vs. 39-43)

In some of these instances we are shown God has a place of rest for us, our haven, a city for a dwelling place...heaven. His desire is that none should perish and all who receive Him have eternal life. He unburdens us in only a way He can by: taking us out of darkness and the shadow of spiritual death and giving us life by breaking the chains of sin that bind us, healing and delivering, guiding, taking what the enemy meant for evil in our lives and turning it into good...if we want to receive His
help.

This is His plan of salvation! Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! 

Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." 

Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...

Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Romans 6:23a - For the wages of sin is death...

Romans 6:23b - ...but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 10:9-10,13 - [But] if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Oh, That Men Would Give Thanks to the Lord, Pt.1

Psalm 107:1-3 - Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, and gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. 

There countless numbers of examples in the Bible that speak of salvation. Why do we need to be saved? Because we are all sinners. But we need to be told this. We need to understand and the Bible has the examples! As another scripture points out (about creation, but why not about the power of God for all things, too?), For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, (‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭20). So, if there are countless examples of God's redemptive qualities, His love for mankind, His plan for salvation, we are, pretty much, without excuse to know.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

There are five scenarios brought up in Psalm 107. They start out as a time of distress. When a people, or a person, come(s) to a low point in life, God is able to deliver them. He will deliver when we earnestly seek Him to be saved. Just because we say we know who God is does not always mean we really know Him. But God can get us to know Him in many ways. We may not know at first what we are being saved from but the instant we realize we need His help He steps in. For me it was not seeing my sin but being in a turmoil, similar to some of these instances. I called out for the help I realized only He could bring, which I so desired. The understanding that I was a sinner came later. Oh, yes, I did not think I was a sinner! 

We are, as it were, in distress and feeling at our lowest point when God hopes our eyes look up. It's a very well used analogy: where else can we look but up when we are so down. And spiritually we look to God for our help. God has given us some amazing examples all throughout His Word.

So, several examples in one Psalm. Examples of God's salvation. One difference...while these were physical distresses in need of physical help, it points to His spiritual salvation, His free gift to each of us when we choose to receive it.

I will do two examples today and the other three tomorrow. Picture what these people were going through. 

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, and gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. (Verses 1-3)

- the hand of the enemy=satan, who is the root cause of our sin, even today

- for all people

- only God can redeem

They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses. And He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city for a dwelling place. 

Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. (Vs. 4-9)

- we wander a wilderness without God

- man cannot deliver, but the Lord can

- He is the Way

- only He thoroughly satisfies with His goodness (through salvation and later His Word)

Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and irons—because they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High, therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces. 

Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He has broken the gates of bronze, and cut the bars of iron in two. (Vs.10-16)

- our sin ensnares each of us

- when we rebel against God, refuse Him, we are in captivity

- like Israel in their captivity in Egypt...slaves, in bondage

- only God can release us

- when we call out He is merciful

Only Jesus can release any bondage to sin we have. We cannot hope we are good enough. We are all sinners in need of a Savior. We cannot compare ourselves to anyone else because all are sinners and
all sin is just plain sin to God. Because of His goodness and His choice to be crucified for our sins, are we saved, not our own. Our hearts must be inclined first to God...Jesus...allow Him to bring us out of our sinful bondage. 

More examples tomorrow. Let's give thanks to God! His mercy endures forever.