Consider His lovingkindness (9-20-11)

Psalm 107:43 - "Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things, and consider the lovingkindnesses of the Lord."

God wants us to consider His lovingkindness. This word, lovingkindness, can be identified by three basic meanings, which always interact: Strength, Steadfastness or Faithfulness, and Love. Any understanding of the word that fails to suggest all three inevitably loses some of its richness. The verse quoted above where we are told to "consider the lovingkindnesses of the Lord" comes at the end of a psalm that lists Gods lovingkindness to His people Israel. This Psalm follows an interesting pattern. It lists the things that God has done in His lovingkindness, and then it talks about the ways that His people have fallen short, and then it lists again the lovingkindness of the Lord toward His people in restoring them to Himself.

Psalm 107 divides itself nicely into five sections. The First four are very similar in structure to the extent that several verses are repeated word for word four or five different times.
Psalm 107:1-9 -  "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary and gathered from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region; they did not find a way to an inhabited city. They were hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted within them. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses. He led them also by a straight way, to go to an inhabited city. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good." 

The problem: Vs. 4-5 - They were hungry and thirsty, wandering in the wilderness.

The turning point: Vs. 6-7 - They cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses. He led them also by a straight way, to go to an inhabited city.

The proper response: Vs.8-9 - Give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!

 

Psalm 107:10-16 - "There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains, because they had rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Therefore He humbled their heart with labor; they stumbled and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bands apart. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! For He has shattered gates of bronze and cut bars of iron asunder."

The problem: Vs. 10-12 - The Lord humbled them by slavery because of their rebellion.

The turning point: Vs. 13-14 - They cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bands apart.

The proper response: Vs. 15-16 - Give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!

 

Psalm 107:17-22 - "Fools, because of their rebellious way, and because of their iniquities, were afflicted. Their soul abhorred all kinds of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful singing."

The problem: Vs. 17-18 - Affliction and death as a result of rebellion and sin.

The turning point: Vs. 19-20 - They cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

The proper response:  Vs. 21-22 - Give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!

Psalm 107:23-32 - "Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters; they have seen the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; their soul melted away in their misery. They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, and were at their wits' end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet, so He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him at the seat of the elders." 

The problem: Vs. 23-27 - The Lord has raised up a storm against those who are on the sea.

The turning point: Vs. 28-30 - They cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed.

The proper response: Vs. 31-32 - Give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!

In every situation, whether the people were lost and wandering in the desert, or suffering the consequences of their sin and rebellion, or overwhelmed by Gods power in nature, when they cried out to the Lord He heard them and delivered them out of their trouble. And in considering these things, the proper response is thanksgiving and praise to God for His lovingkindness and His wonders to the sons of men. Simply reflecting on how the Lord has demonstrated His lovingkindness toward us in every situation in life will result in thanksgiving. This is why we are instructed to consider His lovingkindness. Because as we do so we will give the much deserved response.

Psalm 107:33-43 - "He changes rivers into a wilderness and springs of water into a thirsty ground; a fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it. He changes a wilderness into a pool of water and a dry land into springs of water; and there He makes the hungry to dwell, so that they may establish an inhabited city, and sow fields and plant vineyards, and gather a fruitful harvest. Also He blesses them and they multiply greatly, and He does not let their cattle decrease. When they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, misery and sorrow, He pours contempt upon princes and makes them wander in a pathless waste. But He sets the needy securely on high away from affliction, and makes his families like a flock. The upright see it and are glad; but all unrighteousness shuts its mouth. Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things, and consider the lovingkindnesses of the Lord."