Thoughts on Psalm 107, #5: When should I, and for what should I, give thanks?

 Psalm 107 begins with an exhortation/command to those of us who are redeemed--"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting." While not using the word "thanks," the writer in typical Hebrew fashion, comes back to the thought in the conclusion of the Psalm. ". . . give heed to these things, And consider the lovingkindnesses of the LORD."

As we read through the Psalm we find obvious points for thanksgiving. They are what we can call the redemption statements. Each is introduced by the statement, "He delivered/saved/brought them out of their distresses." Each of these lines is followed by a further description of the Lord's deliverance to each distressed group.

Thoughts on Psalm 107, #4, God's sovereignty

 I'm planning one more post on this marvelous psalm. Today's will be quite brief.

After the section on the four representative groups of the redeemed (4-32), the psalmist adds what I call a coda (33-41). I wrote about this section in my first post on this psalm.  This section is "full of what God does. "He changes . . .."makes . . .. blesses . . .. does not let . . .. pours . . .. [and] sets . . .."

In brief, God is sovereign. Psalm 107 is addressed to the redeemed. As one of God's redeemed, it is good for me to look back and see God's hand in bringing me to Himself. It's not my fault that I am redeemed. It is God's doing. Read Romans 8 for more on this. 

Lord willing, I'll see you tomorrow.

Thoughts on Psalm 107, #3; Who are these folks?

 We meet four groups of people in Psalm 107. They are all part of the “redeemed,” spoken of in the psalm’s introduction. I wrote about the word redeemed and the concept of redemption in my first post on Psalm 107. I encourage you to read that, if you didn’t, or if you have forgotten. The way the word is used in Psalm 107 is:

Thoughts on Psalm 107, #2

 

There is an Evangelistic element that runs through this poem. I find it similar to the Great Commission passages of the New Testament. Notice the introductory words of v 2, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. Also, take note of the refrain in the Psalm, "Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men!" (8, 15, 21, & 31) I see this sentiment repeated throughout Scripture. A couple of examples:

Thoughts on Psalm 107, #1

 A Beautiful Song of Thanksgiving, Psalm 107:

I've been taking a slow tour through the Psalms. As one ought to do on a leisurely road trip, I've given myself permission to stop, get out, and ask questions about what interests me along my journey. When I started the trip, I knew I'd take some time walking around and looking at this psalm. 

So, here I am.

Especially since over the past ten years I've had more of an itinerant ministry, it has been my privilege to preach from Psalm 107 on several occasions. It is a "go-to" message on gratitude. Still, though I've grown somewhat familiar with this masterpiece, I've enjoyed wandering around and looking at this monument to God's Hesed. I'll come back to that in a moment. 

A Chat with King David and the Apostle Paul About Life, Death, and God's Glory

 

As I approach my 75th Birthday, I can't avoid some thoughts about mortality. If I were a gallon of milk, the storekeeper would move me to the front of the dairy case--short shelf-life. I'm not whining, just being realistic.

In my devotions today, I read Psalm 6. I'm reading the Psalms from the New Living Translation. Verses 4 and 5 really piqued my interest.

   Return, O LORD, and rescue me. Save me because of your unfailing love. 

   For the dead do not remember you. Who can praise you from the grave? 

At the risk of being jumped on by my Theological watchdog friends, I don't think all of David's prayers

are  good models for my prayer life. Yes, I believe the Psalms are part of God's inspired word and therefore are "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2 Tim 3:16). Holy Spirit led David to record a poem about a time of struggle in his life. He was faced with formidable enemies (7 & 10). It appears that David was sick. He describes himself as being sick, in agony, and having blurred vision. 

Apparently, there was some sin in David's life. He speaks of God's rebuke and discipline. As I look through David's prayer, though, I don't see a request to be forgiven. In other Psalms, David freely confesses his sin and begs God to forgive him. Psalm 51:1-4 is a notable example. I can't be sure, but I think David had sinned. His sin placed him in a vulnerable position before his enemies and some bodily affliction had invaded David's life. Perhaps it was an illness that was directly sent from God in chastisement, or maybe what David describes is the general malaise that guilt and regret wreck on the health of sinners. At any rate, in the scenario that I think may be behind this psalm, David does repent and seek God's forgiveness, yet, as often is the case, the consequences of David's sin hang on. Sin can be like a nagging cold: "I feel fine, except for this nagging cough."

Don't think me arrogant, but I know more about sin and forgiveness than David. I am more sure of my status with the Lord than he was. I live on the other side of the Cross. I have the benefit of the New Testament. I can stand on this reality: "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:1).

So, I come back to Psalm 6:4-5. Some may think that David was trying to make a deal with God. "Save me from this deadly distress and I'll praise You for the rest of my life." Perhaps, but I don't think so. I see in David's prayer a quality that I see in the Apostle Paul's musing and praying about life and death.

   “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,” (Philippians 1:21–25, NASB95)  

Within the minor-key song of the shepherd/warrior/king/song-writer of the Old Testament and the autobiographical thoughts of the Apostle who wrote much of the New, there is a basic truth that I need to hold to, live by, and pray in the light of--my life is not my own. It is God's. It needs to be lived for His glory and it ought to come to its end for the same purpose. 

So Lord, as I approach the fourth quadrant of a century of life on this earth, I ask that you will help me live for your glory. Use me as you choose. When I do come to death's door, may I approach that final transition holding onto the grace that has led me to this point. 

Whether by life or by death, be glorified, Lord.

An article worth reading, especially for those who preach the word, or try to:

 I am on Trevin Wax's mailing list, not his publicity team. :)
I do, however, find his weekly articles stimulating.

This one came to me at a time when I'm involved in some issues of "What does the Bible say about . . .?"
At first, I thought Trevin's excerpts from Augustine (I'm not a scholar on him) were too far in the direction

of being mushy, uncertain, or non-commital in one's hermeneutics. Looking a little more carefully, I think the article punches at errors on both sides.
Clearly the first article that Trevin references in his list which follows his own thoughts strives for an "avoidance of both the right and left ditches that run alongside the road of orthodoxy. I find the reference to Lewis's "Christianity-and" very helpful.

Like me, several of you in this email will be teaching and/or preaching God's word this weekend. Our world needs that--we need that! Give it your best, but know that's not enough, so let's pray for power, wisdom, and skill that goes beyond us.

https://mailchi.mp/f60e8083f6cd/theological-debates-need-less-pride-more-augustine?e=cbe6cfd979