September 19, 2021
Scripture: Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble. Psalm 107:2 ESV
Observation: Psalm 107 is the third part of a trilogy of Israel’s journey to the Promise Land (Psalm 105), exile to Babylon (Psalm 106), and deliverance from their enemy (Psalm 107). Beginning with a call to give thanks to the Lord for gathering his people from all directions of civilization, the psalmist then cites all the ways our gracious God has delivered his people from peril: provided a home for the homeless (verses 4-9), set free those captive to sin and oppression (verse 10-16), healed the infirmed (verses 17-22), calmed the seas for sailors (verses 23-32), restored the nation’s depleted resources (verses 33-38), and silenced their oppressors (verses 39-41). He then closes with the challenge to wisely consider how the Lord has shown his steadfast love (verse 43).
Takeaway: Let the redeemed wisely ponder and recite all the ways the Lord has shown his unfailing love. Indeed, the Pilgrims understood and applied this biblical principle when they settled in their new “promise land.” In his account of the founding of Plymouth Plantation, Governor William Bradford recounts the similar perils the Pilgrims faced and how God rescued his people. He then praises the Lord who is forever good and merciful and closes with a paraphrase of verse 2: “Yes, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, shew how he hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressor” (William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620–1647, page 63).
Prayer: Father God, please help us to recall and recount all the ways you have redeemed us from the folly of sin and the perils of a fallen world, that we might deepen our understanding of your goodness and mercy. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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