[:en]SCRIPTURE: PSALM 107:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1)_
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men” (Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31)
“Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy” (Psalm 107:22)
“Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders” (Psalm 107:32)
REASONS WHY THE PSALMIST GAVE THANKS TO GOD:
- He satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry (v. 9)
- He broke down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron (v. 16)(
- He stilled the storm to a whisper (v. 29)
- He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs (v. 35)
- They yielded fruitful harvest from their vineyards (v. 37)
- He blessed them with increased numbers (v. 38)
- He lifted the needy out of their affliction (v. 41)
GOD’S LOVE AND MERCY TOWARDS THE ISRAELITES:
- As traveler in the desert, God led them to the Promised Land (vs. 4-9)
- As prisoners of other nations, God heard their cry and set them free (vs. 10-16)
- As they suffered illness, God mercifully healed them (vs. 17-22)
- As they wandered on dangerous water with violent storms, God calmed the storm and brought them to their desired destination (vs. 23-32)
- As farmers in the land, God sent rain and turned the wilderness into garden. He blessed them with bountiful harvest and multiplied their livestock (vs. 33-38)
- As being oppressed, their number decreased but God lifted their affliction and increased their numbers (vs. 39-42)
REFLECTION:
- We are like pilgrim in this earth. We need God to guide you in the right path.
- Our sins have imprisoned you. We need to repent and ask forgiveness of our sins so that we can be saved from eternal death.
- When we are suffering from illness, God is the greatest physician who can heal us.
- When the storms of life hit us, call unto God to help and rescue us and bring us out to safety.
- Take time to thank God for our food and daily needs. Be contented of what we have.
- Hope in the Lord during times of oppression and depression. Pray for restoration and comfort.
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