Renewal Awaits Response – Part Two
“Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:28-31
Robinson Crusoe, wrecked on a lonely island, made a list of adversities: Lost on a desolate island, cut off from society, no clothes, no defense, no one with whom to talk.
He made a list consisting of two columns called evil and good. He concluded he was cut off BUT he didn’t drown like others, banished BUT not starving; no clothes BUT a warm climate, no defense BUT none needed; no companion BUT all the necessities. When you make your life of misfortunes, parallel it with one noting your good fortune.
Consider emulating Crusoe’s list and making your own two columns.
For most, an object list of “good” would exceed the “evil.”
A Texas business man with a sense of humor and a spirit of thankfulness sent in for a copyright at the Library of Congress. It was for a book he had written intending to give it to customers. The book was entitled, “A Million Thanks.” You guessed it. The book consisted of the one word “thanks” repeated a million times. “No thanks,” said the Library of Congress, a single word isn’t copyrightable. Yet, it deserves to be offered to our Heavenly Father.
Throughout Psalm 107 is found a key word regarding our turning to the Lord and His response. It is the simple word “then.” In most cases as long as we don’t really need God we don’t call on Him. When all resources are depleted “then” we call on Him in our distress and He proves Himself. Thank God for the “then” moments in your life.
The 107 Psalm describes the plight of persons in a storm tossed sea. Verses 25 – 27 notes the reason He is needed to calm the storm: “They are at their wits’ end” (Vs. 27c). Have you been there? If so experientially you know then “He calms the storm” (Vs. 29).
Sometimes all we have to go on are the promises of God. He gives us His promises for a purpose. He gives us His promises to allow us to prove Him.
On your list of good and evil include the factor they noted which was, “Thanks be to God for His UNSPEAKABLE gift.” It just won’t go into words.
“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” We now know His most wonderful unspeakable work was enabled by the work of Jesus on the cross.