November 15, 2022

Some wandered in desert wastelands,
    finding no way to a city where they could settle.
⁵ They were hungry and thirsty,
    and their lives ebbed away.
⁶ Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
⁷ He led them by a straight way
    to a city where they could settle.
⁸ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
⁹ for he satisfies the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107: 4-9

This portion of Psalm 107 is recalling the wandering times in the wilderness as a group or perhaps during personal times of distress where the believer called upon the Lord for His help. The psalmist recounts their woes- tired, hungry, distressed and in need of guidance. He then tells how God met these needs by filling the hunger with good things, leading them to where they could settle safely, and by hearing their cries. Their love and thankfulness to God was based on personal experiences. Do you have times you can remember when you were desperate and God met your needs? Or maybe you were confused and in need of guidance and He heard your cry for help and sent someone to meet your needs. Or maybe God came himself and sent His Holy Spirit to give you peace for your inner soul.

Could you write your own psalm of praise and thanks to God? Fill in the blanks with your own experiences.

Lord, I was _________________ and __________________________.

You heard my prayers for help and sent ______________________ to meet my needs.

You brought me peace and hope and filled me with good things. Thank you for your unfailing love and for what you have done and are doing in my life.

Amen.

A truth to claim with thanksgiving: I am helped by God. This truth is found repeatedly in scripture. Here are a few verse for you to claim as you seek to truly believe that God has your back and is always with you. Hebrews 4:16 “ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Are you in need of God’s help? This verse is a promise you can claim- God hears and desires to help us when we are in need! Deuteronomy 31:6 is one of my life verses- claim it! “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Psalm 121:1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? ² My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” The psalmist encourages us to look to God for our help- He is creator God and sovereign over all things.

Be assured today that God hears your cries and God will help. Turn to Him. Trust His timing and His ways. He is always faithful even when we are not.

Linda