Today’s Devotional Thought:
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.” (Psalms 107:13 ESV)
I love the structure of this psalm because we’re presented with four scenarios and four times we get to see how God operates in the world.
So let’s think about these four sections individually:
First: The Desert Wanderers (verse 4-9)
In verse 4, we read of “some” who wandered in desert wastes without food or water until they “cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress" (v. 6). Then the psalmist exhorts them to praise God for their deliverance: “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!” (v. 8).
Second: The Rebellious Prisoners (verses 10-16)
In verse 10, we read of “some” who “sat in darkness” because they had “rebelled against the words of God.” But they “cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress” (v. 13). Then the psalmist exhorts them to praise God for their deliverance: “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!” (v. 15).
Third: The Sinful Fools (verses 17-22)
In verse 17, we read of “some” who were “fools through their sinful ways.” And because of their sin, they suffered affliction and drew near to death. But they “cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress” (v. 19). Then the psalmist exhorts them to praise God for their deliverance: “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!” (v. 21).
Finally: The Proud Sailors (verses 23-32)
In verse 23, we read of “some” who were proud sailors, setting out to make their fortunes. But a storm blew in and they were about to die until they “cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress” (v. 28). And, as before, the psalmist exhorts them to praise God for their deliverance: “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!” (v. 31).
The Application for Us
So why does the psalmist repeat these phrases four times in a row? Well, we’re a lot like the desert wanderers, the rebellious prisoners, the sinful fools, and the proud sailors. We think we’re so great, but then we get ourselves into trouble. But we can always cry out to the Lord in our troubles, knowing that he will deliver us from our distress.
This is good news during COVID-19. We have more distress than normal. But where do we turn? Will God answer? Will he deliver? Well, this psalm shows the modus operandi of our gracious God. He hears and delivers. So we have reason to praise him for “his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!”
Ways to Pray:
Lord, I confess that I'm prone to wander away from you like the people in this psalm.
Thank you, Father, that I can call out to you in my distress and you answer me.
In the midst of my trials today, let me remember that I can turn to you in prayer.
Let everyone facing severe trials through COVID-19 call out to you in the midst of their distress.
Thank you for your steadfast love, for your wondrous works to the children of man!
Monday through Friday: Written by Pastor Stern
Saturday and Sunday: Written by Jonathan Hatt