Psalm 107:33-34

Psalm 107:33-34

Because of the wickedness of those who lived there

We’ve all played with Yo-yos in our childhood, up and down, up and down, up and down…… This Psalm is a bit like a Yo-yo and it is meant to teach us the wisdom and blessings that come from obedience to the Lord; and the foolishness and curses that accompany our rebellion against Him. And let’s face it, we’ve all had our highs and lows in our relationship with Him. 

The verses before us talk about a low point in the history of God’s people, in fact there were many low points. In the context of this Psalm, let’s think about one or two of them. The story of Elijah is one example of when God turned the land of plenty into a land of drought. It happened during the reign of a godless king called Ahab who set up altars to Baal and paraded a wooden pole as an act of worship to the Canaanite goddess, Asherah. God was angry and used Elijah to tell Ahab that there would be “neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” 1 Kings 17:1. Even the brook Kerith, where Elijah hid, dried up and he had to flee to the north, to live with a widow in a pagan town that was at the heart of Baal worship! 

Elisha had a similar experience of drought when the Assyrians besieged Israel, this time famine came upon the people for 7 years. (2 Kings 8.) In both instances the land was restored, and rains came when the Lord decreed it. The story of Ruth is another comparable event, she was a Moabitess who had married into an Israelite family that had fled to Moab from drought and famine in their homeland.

I wonder when it will dawn upon our world and its leaders that if they turn their back on God and ignore His laws and rebel against their Creator, the climate will continue to change, and so-called “natural disasters” will befall many nations. These are not natural; they are the result of godlessness. God does not send them so much as allows them because of our disobedience and unbelief. 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psalm1:5       Our earthly journey will allow us, at times, to stand with the redeemed in holy awe and worship exhilarated by the presence of our Father.  In the Psalmists’ day these “assemblies of the righteous” would have been joyful times of worship at God’s sanctuary where music played, choirs sang and the people joined in the excitement and corporate wonder of being together in God’s presence. If our own church worship is anything, it should be a prelude to the time when we will join with a numberless throng and sing the praises of the Lamb and the One who sits upon the throne of heaven. Many go to events like Spring Harvest, Keswick Convention, New Day and the rest, primarily for this experience of joy and exhilaration.  Our earthly, joyful experiences are but a foretaste of what is to come and we are promised that we will join with heavenly choirs and our song will be “Worthy is the Lamb.”   Such music and exalta...
Read more

Psalm 106:13

Psalm 106:13 Do not forget We need to remember that Israel’s relationship with the Lord God was based on His laws and their obedience. It was possible for them to live lives that were highly blessed, that incorporated the provision of God in every tiny detail of their national and individual existence. God was prepared to give them everything they needed, He would provide food and water for them and their flocks. He would guide them on their journey. He would protect them from their enemies. He would inspire and direct their leaders. He would keep them from the heat of the sun and the terrors of the desert night. He would take them to the land that He had promised, in double quick time. There was no reason why they could not be in situ in just a few months. Everything they could possibly need was His to provide and He was willing to sacrifice anything to see them gratefully settled in Canaan.  There was just one snag, it all depended upon their obedience and faithfulness. God insis...
Read more

Psalm 119:83

Psalm 119:83 Wineskins in the smoke Well, this verse has caught us by surprise! What does it mean? As we will be aware, in ancient times, wine was not stored in purpose-made glass bottles but in animal skins. In order to keep the skin pliable and soft it must not be allowed to dry out for it would soon shrivel and crack. It follows that the last thing you would do with your treasured wineskins is to hang them up over a smoky fire, not only would they quickly wither but the smoke would clearly ruin the flavour and texture of the wine!  What does the author mean when he says that he is like such a wineskin?  It denotes the uncomfortable condition he was in or at least thought himself to be in; being caught in the midst of smoke is very uncomfortable, and he considered himself to be in darkness with sin and afflictions, like a wineskin in smoke, black and sooty. He felt like an empty wineskin with nothing in him. Maybe he was worn out with cares and old age and had become pale an...
Read more