YOU WILL KNOW IF IT’S REAL –

The history of the Jewish people combine four perilous types of travail they had to endure: being exiled, being disciplined, wandering in the wilderness, and traveling long distances under trying conditions. As a result, they experienced four traumas that affected them deeply: feeling lost, feeling vulnerable, feeling unloved, and feeling forsaken. But God responded with four divine interventions that brought them through each time: His kindness, His power, His love, and His promise. The writer of this psalm puts all twelve of these in perspective throughout his narrative of their historic legacy. He punctuates them again and again with a call to praise God for His endless grace.

“Here’s what the ransomed of the LORD Eternal should say, those He ransomed them from the clutches of their tormentors; those He gathered from countries around the world, say: ‘Let us worship the LORD Eternal, for He is so kind, and His grace never ends.’ Many wandered around lost in a wasteland because they didn’t know where to go for help. They were hungry and thirsty and were thinking about giving up. But that’s when they cried to the LORD Eternal for help, and He plucked them out of their hopeless situation. He then put them on the right road to reach His Holy City. So let them worship the LORD Eternal for His grace, and for the wonderful things He’s done for all mankind. He gave relief to the thirsty soul and satisfied the hungry heart with things that were necessary. Some wandered in darkness, weary of bondage because they went against His word and ignored His warnings. They realized after they sank in despair that no man could save them. In distress they cried to the LORD Eternal, and He rescued them. He brought them out of darkness and set them free. Let’s thank the LORD Eternal for His grace that worked miracles for man. In their foolishness they let sin imprisoned them, but He shattered the doors and snapped the bars; reduced to skin and bones they couldn’t eat and were on the verge of dying. But in their distress they called on the LORD Eternal; He sent His Word and healed them and delivered them from sure destruction. Let’s thank the LORD Eternal for His grace that worked miracles for mankind. Sing with joy and gratitude about His deeds. Those who sail life’s ocean see His greatness. He sends storms with huge waves tossing them up and down. They lose courage and become disoriented. But in their distress they call on the LORD Eternal, and He calms the storm and quiets the waves to bring peace, then guides them to a safe harbor.” Psalm 107:1-30

Reflection: There is a tradition about a young Chinese boy who wanted to learn all about the beautiful gem called jade. So he went to study under a monk famous for his expertise. This wise man accepted the lad and put a piece of jade into the youth’s hand and told him to hold it tight. Then the monk began to talk about philosophy, men, women, the sun, and almost everything he could think of except jade. At the end of their session he sent the boy home and told him to come back the next day. When the boy returned the old man repeated the same procedure, and continued to do so day after day. Soon the boy became frustrated, but feared interrupting his venerable master so he dutifully followed the instructions given him. One day when the monk put the stone in the boy’s hand, the boy cried out instantly, “That’s not jade!” It turned out that the boy became so familiar with the look, touch, weight and feel of this gemstone that he could tell the difference by merely touching another stone. The psalmist seems to be using the same method in teaching God’s children by putting in their hands the tablets that contain the historical record of God’s way in dealing with difficulties. Christians have adopted the same approach as they meet several times a week to hear the story of their redemption again and again; to sing about it over and over. To a genuine believer, it’s hard, if not impossible, to label something else as the gospel other than the Word of God, or someone else as their Savior other than the Lord Jesus Christ. But you won’t get to know it if you don’t hold on to it tightly every day.