I love Psalm 107.  The Lord has used that passage of His Word to speak to me at many different times.  It is too long to print in its entirety here, but I would encourage you to take the time to read it when you are able. The Psalm gives account of the sufferings of different groups of people:  wanderers, prisoners, the sick, and the storm-tossed; and then goes on to tell how when they finally called out to the Lord, He delivered them.  In the midst of trial, this Psalm spoke encouragement to my heart, that as I cried out to the Lord, He would eventually bring deliverance. I wasn’t sure what form that deliverance would take, as He doesn’t always take us out of the trial, but rather through it, but I knew He would deliver me in His time and in His way.  In peaceful, glad times, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness and gratitude when I recall to mind the deliverance the Lord has brought to my life and the lives of loved ones. Upon the Lord’s deliverance in each scenario, the command is repeatedly given:  “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men.” (Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31).  And the Psalm begins with:  “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.  Let the redeemed of the Lord says this-those He redeemed from the hand of the foe.” (Psalm 107:1-2). As I was reading this Psalm this morning, it brought the questions:  Am I continually thanking Him for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for me?  Am I, as one “He redeemed from the hand of the foe,” telling others about it every chance I get? One of the commentary notes in my Bible says this:  “Those who have never truly suffered may not appreciate God as much as those who have matured under hardship.  Those who have seen God work in times of distress have a deeper insight into His loving-kindness.  If you have experienced great trials, you have the potential for great praise.”i  My guess is most of you can relate to this. Sisters, may we be praising Him greatly and telling others of His gracious work of redemption in our lives!  He is so very good and so very worthy!

Stacey Poplawski

WOC Graduate

i The Life Application Bible, New International Version Edition, Tyndale, Wheaton, IL 1991, p.1026.