Thursday, January 11, 2018
Psalm 107:1-2, 17-20 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 were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
REDEMPTION REVEALED TO THE FOOLISH
There's an old proverb that says, "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits."
We are all fools to some extent. The Apostle Paul writes: "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise" (1 Corinthians 3:18). Foolish people sin frequently and greatly. Oftentimes, foolish sins result in terrible consequences. Harsh words can hurt relationships. Domestic violence can wreck families. Drug abuse can destroy lives.
It seems true that there is no limit to the foolish things that people do. Yet, even the souls of the fools have been paid for by the precious blood of Christ. God reveals redemption to all people-- even the foolish. And thank God that He does! God answers the repentant fool's cry just as much as anyone else's. God delivers the foolish from their distress.
He sent out His Word Incarnate, Jesus Christ, to heal the world from the foolishness of their sin. Christ revealed His love for us fools in everything he ever did. From His sinless life to His guiltless death to His miraculous return to life! The LORD delivered from distress. He always delivers. It's His specialty. In our sin, we were simple fools stumbling toward the gates of death. But Jesus rescued us. He brought death to death so that we might live eternally. It is His Words of promise which continue to heal us even today.
When you find yourself being foolish, cry out to the LORD in your trouble. He will without fail deliver you with the promises of His Word, His precious Gospel message which is the power of God unto salvation! Thank God that our deliverance is not based on our often-misplaced attention and devotion! Our deliverance from sin and death is not based on how much we love God, but on how much He loves us! 1 John 4:10: "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
