March 15, 2018 Thursday

“Fools, because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted. Their soul abhorred all manner of food, And they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare His works with rejoicing.” (Psalm 107:17-22 NKJV)

            Does it make you uncomfortable that God uses the word fools to describe those who cut themselves off from God?  But what would you call a drowning person who casts off their lifejacket?

            When all creation was literally drowning in sin and selfishness we cast off God’s hope for life!  Each choice and each day brought us closer to “the gates of death.”

            So God sent His Word and brought healing!  God has provided the written word of God which is the Bible and the Living Word of God who is Jesus!  God provided all we needed for salvation and new life!

            The Psalmist said that God would heal by His Word and the word for Savior means to heal and to make one whole.  God would heal us from sin and deliver us from the death to come.

            Why would God do such a thing?  The Psalmist calls to proclaim God’s goodness, wonderful works and their delivery!  Despite our sin and selfishness God out of His goodness works so we can depend on grace when our own works fall so short.

            Do you read the written word of God and place your faith in the Living Word Jesus?  Do you give thanks for the wonderful hope we have through God’s goodness?

            This is a little better day.  The pain continues and today the weariness is like a great load on me.  It is almost as though the weariness begets weariness.  I did get some things done and spent some time listening to the Bible and praying.  Bonnie took Mom to the doctors again and everything went well.  We daily give thanks to the amazing love and provision of God!