Read:
Reflect:
There is hardly a better way to end the year than to express our gratitude to God for his good nature and steadfast love. As the Psalmist says:
1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so (107:1-2).
As we look back over the last year there are no doubt many experiences for which we thank the Lord. Even in the dark and stressful times he has been near, heard our cries of distress, and supported us with his presence, so we have reason to give thanks. Perhaps a meditation on Psalm 107 can help us draw 2022 to a close with grateful hearts.
The Psalm draws attention to four major problems that bring people into great distress. However, in each case when they appealed to the Lord he delivered them: Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. (vv 6, 13, 19, 28). As a result, in each case, they are urged to give thanks to the Lord: Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! (vv 8, 15, 21, 31). When we explore the troubles these folks got into and see how the Lord heard their cries we recognize the steadfast love of God at work in wondrous ways.
The first problem is homelessness (vv 4-9). Some wandered without a place to call home and wasted away hungry and thirsty. In their physical and emotional distress they cried out to God and he showed them a path home (v 7) and satisfied them with good things (v 9). So they are urged to give thanks.
The second problem is rebellion (vv 10-16). There were those who found themselves imprisoned because they had rebelled against God and his word in some way. They were subject to darkness and hard labor and without any help. But when they humbled themselves and appealed to the Lord he responded by delivering them into freedom. So they are urged to give thanks.
The third problem is foolish irresponsibility (vv 17-22). These folks had apparently become involved in unspecified destructive behavior patterns that made them sick. Their reckless actions robbed them of appetite and brought them close to death. Nevertheless, God healed them when they cried out to him and delivered them from their destructive lifestyle. So they are urged to give thanks.
The fourth problem is physical danger (vv 23-32). Some went about their normal business which took them to the sea. A great storm engulfed them and threatened to destroy them and their cargo. Then they cried to the Lord and he stilled the storm and brought them safely into harbor. So they are urged to give thanks.
This Psalm deals only with the positive results that people experience when they appeal to the Lord for help (see also vv 33-43). Other Scripture texts will explain situations where results are more negative and it appears that God is not responding to our cries. Here we need to realize that God is to be thanked for the many wonderful ways he hears our prayers and provides appropriate deliverance from trouble, of whatever kind, into which we have gotten ourselves.
Respond:
As 2023 comes to a close we would do well to recall all the ways God has helped us throughout the year and give him richly deserved thanks for his steadfast love.
Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD. (v 43) and give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! (v 1).