Weekly Devotional 27th September, 2024
by Bruce Billington
Weekly Devotional 27th September 2024
We are continuing to explore the knowledge of God as expressed in the Psalms. This week we will look at Psalm 107 which is also a song to the Lord by an unknown author.
Psalm 107:13, 41-42 – “13 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses…. 41 But He sets the needy securely on high away from affliction And makes his families like a flock. 42 The upright see it and are glad; But all unrighteousness shuts its mouth.”
The people of Israel experienced an incredible miracle of God at the Red Sea. But as they carried on through the wilderness they soon dropped back to their old ways of grumbling, unbelief, and rebellion. But then finally they would humble themselves and turn back to God in prayer.
God promises to save us from all that distresses us, but He wants us to turn to Him honestly and faithfully to receive all the benefits that He has for us. It is not about a religious routine, it is about a life-giving, genuine relationship with Him. Much of our troubles could be avoided if this was our first response, not our last.
Verses 41-42 reveal how the Lord turns the wheel of providence. He alone has the power to put princes down and make them wander in the wilderness just as they had made their captives (the Israelites) wander when they drove them from land to land. At the same time, the Lord delivers the distressed and sets them in a position of comfort and happiness. Such actions can be seen throughout Biblical history again and again. God will oppose the proud but give grace to the humble (James 4:6).
Divine providence causes joy to God’s true people; they see the hand of the Lord in all things and delight to embrace the ways of His justice and grace. Frequently this will be so powerful and conclusive that it will silence the mouth of all His enemies.
Spurgeon makes a very useful comment here. He says,
It is wise to observe what the Lord doth, for he is wonderful in counsel; has given us eyes to see with, and it is foolish to close them when there is most to observe; but we must observe wisely, otherwise we may soon confuse ourselves and others with hasty reflections upon the dealings of the Lord. In a thousand ways the lovingkindness of the Lord is shown, and if we will prudently watch, we shall come to a better understanding of it. To understand the delightful attribute of lovingkindness is an attainment as pleasant it is profitable: those who are proficient scholars in this art will be among sweetest singers to the glory of Jehovah.
There are so many wonderful things to embrace here. The number one principle is always that God wants to bless and is all powerful and all mighty – but we must present ourselves before Him in a way that reveals our love for Him and one another; our humility and need for Him as we approach His throne; our deepest desire to walk in His ways and a hunger for His heart in all that matters both for us and for Him.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
We do not do this to earn His favour because that is impossible – it is given only by His grace. We do it out of a sincere love for Him and an acknowledgement that His ways are always best, and we want to walk in the joy of knowing we are doing what He created us to do and be.
This is the ultimate in life – the pearl of great price that we sell all to gain (Matthew 13:46) and the doorway to gaining things which the eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man – all that God has prepared for those who love Him (1Corinthians 2:9).
God bless you.
Bruce Billington.