10/05/2024
I was reading and studying Psalm 107 this morning. It reminded me of the state of the world today. I have written on this subject before... Men not recognizing the miracles and mercies of God for what they are. We, as a people, failing to praise Him for His loving kindness, especially in the face of incredible devastation. Let’s look today at how we should praise God in all things, and without end. In this psalm the psalmist begins with a call to prayer by saying... “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Then he goes on to give examples of God's provisions that occur every day and are worthy of our praising Him. Do we do this? Do we praise him in the storms?
“Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”
Psalms 107:5-8 KJV
“Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 NLT
In the past days we have experienced horrific floods in North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, and other parts of the United States. As the recovery efforts progress we will hear many stories of prayer and miracles. They will most certainly emerge and we will need to listen closely so that we will hear of God’s mercy, and not a tale of some lucky, or fortunate, event.
A few years ago in similar circumstances I watched the news as miracles occurred in flooded South Carolina and listened to newscasters give credit for those miraculous events to happenstance or rescue workers simply "doing their jobs". But, I know men and women like those first responders, and know what motivates them to risk their own lives for others... it’s not the paycheck, no my friend, it’s their faith.
We have all heard stories of supernatural strength, and of rescue worker "just knowing" where a lost soul was waiting desperately for rescue. These men and women realize from where their help comes, and will tell us if we will only listen. But, will we listen? Will we hear them witness to us of miracles, and hear their prayers of mourning, and suffering mixed with those of praise, and thanksgiving? Will we see the tears of the brokenhearted, and hear their prayers they pray for comfort and understanding as they wrestle with their grief and catastrophe? In our darkest hours the Lord is with us... do we listen for Him, and see him at work?
“I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 ESV
We should give prayers of thanksgiving and praise to God for his mercies and loving kindness in times of provision and rescue. We should honor the rescue workers who answered His call... and we should accept His blessing and comfort when we face death and mourning.
Prayer... comes in many forms, but it is often a call for help... And should also be the shofar, or trumpet, of praise when His help arrives.
“3 Praise him with a blast on the shofar!
Praise him with lute and lyre!
4 Praise him with tambourines and dancing!
Praise him with flutes and strings!
5 Praise him with clanging cymbals!
Praise him with loud crashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise Adonai!”
Psalm 150:3-6 CJV (Complete Jewish Bible)
When we pray for provision, rescue, healing, and such, we should also pray for patience and strengthened faith. Sometimes those prayers must be offered repetitively, day after day as we wait for God's answer. At other times we will pray fervently from a flooded car or rooftop, and He will answer quickly, but in all cases we should pray for patience and for Him to strengthen us in our faith as He provides, and comforts us.
It is then, in the wake of rescue; in the banquet of provision, in the wholeness of healing, in our saddest moment, when we should praise Him mightily and lift Him up before all men. One wonderful Psalm tells us that our God is worthy of praise, and describes this for us in detail…
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.”
Psalms 48:1-2 KJV
and there is also a verse from another psalm in which David praises the Lord’s depth, and greatness, by singing it in this way…
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.”
Psalm 145:3
Father, we pray a prayer of thanksgiving this morning. We thank you Lord for all you do in our lives to keep us from harm, protect us from those who would hurt us, and rescue us from every manner of snare and disaster. You are mighty above all god's and worthy of our praise. Go with us today and hold us close, in the safety of your arms. We will continue to praise you all the day long, knowing that you will be with us in the midst of every calamity, mourning, and heartbreak we endure. In every circumstance we will praise you without ceasing for your certain presence, and comforting embrace.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for rescuing us when the storms come thundering into our lives, but if it be your will that we should mourn our losses, then we thank you for the comfort and blessings you have promised, and provide. Open our eyes to your miracles Father, and help us as we accept the aid offered by those you have called, and sent for us. Help us to see that our calamity provides a way for many to experience prayers for us, some for the first times in their lives, and to offer us their loving kindness and mercy. Holy, Holy, Holy are you our Great God who never abandons us, even in our darkest hour. You hear the prayers of our hearts, and see our torn clothing as we mourn. Great are you who revels in our praise, and counts our tears, so that you can dry every one. Your mercy and grace are sufficient for us Father, and your embrace our dearest friend in every sad moment. Comfort us in your Son Jesus Christ, and give voice to our prayers when we have no words to express our most heartfelt feelings. Help us Abba to see the coming of the new dawn, and to feel the warmth of your light as it shines upon our faces once more. Then, in witness of your glory, help us to see clearly that you were always there, are with us now, and will be for all eternity. In the revelation of your promise hear us pray “Come quickly Lord Jesus”.
In joy, sorrow, and even heartbreak, we all say… Amen, Amen, Amen!
“You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.”
Psalm 56:8 NLT
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””
Revelation 21:3-4 ESV
Rich Forbes