His Providence

Psalms 107 is for every day and for every season of our lives.

During my devotional this morning I read the psalm often stopping to praise the Lord for His rich mercy and goodness. I thanked Him for His many benefits: healing, salvation, deliverance, provision etc. And I praised Him for the comfort of His providence in the every day things of life. Providence means the protective, sustaining power of God who cares for us.

Throughout the psalm there is a repeated cry to to give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever. It's not what He does or can do that matters as much as His character. God's nature is merciful and good. This should always be the focus of our worship.

Have you wander far from home? God delivers you from the hand of the enemy and brings you home (verses 4-7). Thank Him for His mercy and goodness! Have you been brought low because of disobedience and rebellion? Have you found yourself bound in shackles from addictions, sinful habits or a trouble mind? God can bring you out of the darkness, shatter the iron chains and break gates of bronze that keep you from freedom (10-16). Praise Him for His mercy and goodness!

Have you been foolish and find yourself near death because of sin's grip? God will send His word to heal you (17-20). Are you stormed tossed and afraid that you will sink under the waters of dismay and depression? Are you at wit's end? God will guide you to a safe harbor (23-30).

At the end of the psalms it reads, "Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD." (verse 43, KJV).

The Lord charged my heart to observe these things in His body. Not to narrowly view my brother or sister by their weakness or some deficient personality trait but observe the goodness of God in them. We truly don't know the difficulties people have faced (or going through) but God will give us new eyes to observe the power of His mercy at work in their lives. Why? Because we are also being observed by them and others as God's mercy is extended to us.

Beloved, we are truly wiser when we shift our eyes away from ourselves and see the work of God in the lives of others. It can only cause us to be thankful of God's providence.