Psalm 107:33-43
He turned rivers into a desert,
flowing springs into thirsty ground,
and fruitful land into a salt waste,
because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
He turned the desert into pools of water
and the parched ground into flowing springs;
there he brought the hungry to live,
and they founded a city where they could settle.
They sowed fields and planted vineyards
that yielded a fruitful harvest;
he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,
and he did not let their herds diminish.
Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled
by oppression, calamity and sorrow;
he who pours contempt on nobles
made them wander in a trackless waste.
But he lifted the needy out of their affliction
and increased their families like flocks.
The upright see and rejoice,
but all the wicked shut their mouths.Let the one who is wise heed these things
and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.
Devotion
At verse thirty-three, the psalm changes its tone and becomes meditative. With the facts of God’s deliverance still in mind, the underlying principles of divine activity are stated. Things which might appear contradictory are evidences of consistency. God turns fruitful places into a wilderness; He turns the wilderness into a fruitful place. His activities appear destructive and constructive. He blesses and multiplies a people. Again, they are abased and afflicted. He dethrones the high and exalts the lowly. Everything results from the attitude of the men with whom He deals. Upright men are made to rejoice. Men of iniquity are silenced.
The concluding words draw attention to the importance of understanding these matters. The unfailing love of God is to be considered. The “wise” person will spend a lifetime considering or meditating on God’s unfailing love. God’s unfailing love must be considered when pondering God’s motives and methods. God will always act in a way that is consistent with His character. So, when we find ourselves asking God, “Why?” we should intensify our focus on the unfailing love of God. Whatever we are facing, maybe the better question would be: How is God expressing His love through this?
Questions to Ponder:
What do you meditate on daily? What consumes your thought life? What are you focusing on during this current pandemic? Do you spend considerable time contemplating the unfailing love of God?
Prayer Points
- Ask God to stir your heart to give you a greater hunger for Him.
- Ask Him to fill You with His Holy Spirit, to give You eyes of grace to see Him as He is, to know Him better in the place of prayer and being in His Word.
- Pray for all hearts to be wide open to Him, changed and transformed.
Suggested Prayer
God, You love me, Your church and those far from You perfectly! You are faithful, consistent in Your love and merciful. Your eyes are full of grace and gentleness. You are so patient, long suffering, tender, gentle, and yet, fierce and powerful! I declare You satisfy me. You are what I am longing for. You are the only One that can satisfy my every need. Use my life to bring You honor and glory. I ask that You draw me to Your heart during every season of life that I’m experiencing. Help me to see that, even though my circumstances change, that You never do! Please give me more opportunities to walk dependently with You. You are my heart’s desire and I praise You for loving me first. I pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.