Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Psalm 107:1-2, 4-7 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so. ... Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.
REDEMPTION REVEALED TO WANDERERS IN THE DESERT
If you're a North American Lutheran, you're probably familiar with the Common Table Prayer: "Come Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed." Oftentimes the words of Psalm 107:1 are tacked on to the end as a way of returning thanks after the meal. This is not just a casual observance of God's goodness, rather it is said in faithful response to God's encouragement in Psalm 107:2, "Let the redeemed of the LORD say so," that He is indeed good and that His mercy (or steadfast love) does indeed endure forever!
As sinners living in a sinful world, we can be assured that at various times in our lives we will be faced with all kinds of difficult, sometimes tragic circumstances. Yet, God promises us that His redemption has been revealed for all people at all times of our lives! Perhaps you feel as though you have been wandering in a desert-– unable to find your way, unable to get your footing in your present situation, or unable to quench some thirst you desire in your life.
When your soul faints within you, cry out to the LORD! Without fail, God delivers wanderers in the desert from their distress! It's His specialty. When all the world was wandering in the desert of sin, God sent His Son. He revealed the world's redemption in the Babe of Bethlehem. As the shepherds were led to the manger in Bethlehem by the straight way of God's Word via an angel, so we too are led by the straight way of God's Word to the promises of Christ crucified for all. There is no desert from which God cannot deliver His people. We have a heavenly city awaiting our dwelling.
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
