Then they cried in their trouble and God delivered them
What stood out for me when reading this Psalm was a cry out. In four instances people in different situations/trouble, all cried out to God and He comes to their rescue. What also stood out is that every time God come to their rescue, they took time to give God thanks for His unfailing love and wonderful deeds.
In the first instance people are lost in the wilderness. They are starved and parched with thirst, staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion. Then, in their desperate condition, they call out to God and He saves them. How many times in our lives have we not found ourselves in a wilderness, of maybe you are a wilderness, and you are going through a difficult time, you feel lost, you feel you are a dead end, you feel that you are not entering into the promises of God. You are wandering in the wilderness. If this is the case, THEN cry out to the Lord in your trouble, He will deliver you from your distress.
Psalm 107:6-9(NIV) Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
The second group of people are locked in a dark cell, confined behind bars. The reason for this is defying God’s Word, for turning their back on God’s counsel. Not obeying God; making decisions without consulting God. This can leave us in a situation whereby we are on our own, in the dark. How many times have we not done the same – not consulted God, made the wrong decisions that left us in the dark prison. The good news is, if you are in such a situation, then cry out to God, and He will save you from your distress.
Psalm 107:13(NIV) Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. Psalm 107:15-16(NIV) Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.
The thirds group is sick. The group described in these verses is clearly physically ill due to their sin. Sickness is not always directly due to sin but sometimes it is. Maybe you are sick and need healing. You are in a situation where God is your only hope. The Message Translation states in Psalm 107:18-20 You couldn’t stand the sight of food, so miserable you thought you’d be better off dead. Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time. He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death.
Psalm 107:19-21(NIV) Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Lastly, this group of people are in a storm. These sailors are overwhelmed by circumstances beyond their control. Once again, The Message Translation states in Psalm 107:26-27 You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out; your hearts were stuck in your throats. You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk, you didn’t know which end was up. Maybe you are in a storm, overwhelmed by your circumstances. You don’t know what to do. My advice to you: cry out to the Lord in your trouble and He will bring you out of your distress.
Psalm 107:28-31(NIV) Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
It does not matter what your problems are. View them as divinely designed opportunities to bring you to the end of your own resources so that you will call out to God and experience the provision of His great love and grace. God doesn’t help those who help themselves. He helps the helpless who cast themselves on His mercy.
In conclusion, we must never forget, once God has helped us, we must give Him thanks for His unfailing love and wonderful deeds to us.