Day 734: Have you thought about this? - Psalm 107 vs 33 – 43

33-34 God turns rivers into a wilderness and springs of water into a thirsty ground, a productive land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it. 35-37 He turns a wilderness into a pool of water and a dry land into springs of water; and there He has the hungry dwell so that they may establish an inhabited city, and sow fields and plant vineyards and produce an abundant harvest. 38 Also, He blesses them so that they multiply greatly, And He does not let [the number of] their cattle decrease.

39-42 When they are diminished and bowed down (humbled) through oppression, misery, and sorrow, He pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in a pathless wasteland. Yet He sets the needy securely on high away from affliction, and makes their families like a flock. The upright see it and rejoice; But all unrighteousness shuts its mouth. 43 Who is wise? Let him observe and heed these things; And [thoughtfully] consider the loving kindness of the Lord. Psalm 107:33-43 (from the Amplified Version)

In the first 32 verses of this Psalm the writer gave four examples of people in desperate situations where all human help was gone. In three of the examples their situation was due to their own stubborn rejection of God's commandments. He showed how it was God who then brought about circumstances that left them at their wits end. The opening verses of today's post highlight that. The writer tells us that it’s God who has the power to make rivers run dry and healthy farmlands to become useless. (vs 33-34) But what does he then tell us in vs 35-37?

While the Psalm essentially recounts all that God had done for Israel, verses 35-37 can apply to us as well. Yes, God has the power to bring blight into our life - but He is also the one who can bring great blessing. Blight is a disease that causes plants to perish, but verses 35-37 speak of a land that was abundantly productive. What is a further blessing that God does for those who put Him first in their life? (vs 39-42)

He comes to their rescue and is able to lift them out of miserable and sorrowful times. Sometimes the hardships are brought about by the oppression of people who care nothing for God. God ultimately deals with the oppressors and rescues His people out of their affliction. So what was the writer's reason for telling us about all these things? (vs 43)

He wanted people to thoughtfully consider God's loving kindness. (We’re not meant to read the Bible and then rush on to other things.) Here are just a few thoughts about His loving kindness.

Firstly, His loving kindness is not something we deserve. It's not a 'human right' that people make such a fuss about these days. Every one of us is guilty of sin. We neglected our responsibilities towards God and towards one another. When Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment He said: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Those are words that we should also thoughtfully consider.

Secondly, God’s loving kindness is freely given to every one who cries out for mercy. That happened in the four examples the writer gave in verses 1-32. It also happened to the criminal on the cross next to Jesus when he called on Christ to remember him. This cry for mercy includes our desire to repent of our waywardness. It's like the longing of the Psalm writer who prayed “Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:9-10)

Finally, while the effects of His loving kindness are described here in terms of an abundant harvest - the greatest blessing is not the riches of this world, but peace with God and the joy of a relationship with Christ when we repent of sin and call upon Him to save us. That’s something that is worth everyone's thoughtful consideration. It's far more important than the latest stock market news, the decisions of politicians, or the football results. May we often take time to think about all of God’s loving kindness.