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Finding Grace in the Unraveling of Life

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in Psalms Series· Uncategorized

Psalm 107: Say So!

Welcome to Day #11 of the Psalms Series!

It is a special treat to have my friend Kris guest post today. Kris is a kind and compassionate woman who often serves behind-the-scenes. She is a empathetic listener and supportive friend. She is a blessing and I trust you will be blessed by her thoughtful words and powerful reflections here.

Kris is wife to Ron and mother to Daniel, Emily, Elizabeth and Amy. She has been homeschooling her kiddos since they were old enough to learn. Kris’ oldest left the nest this fall
for college, but their youngest is just finishing up first grade, so she is in this for the long haul! Kris loves quiet mornings with plenty of
strong coffee and her Bible, reading, nature, and spending time with her
family, friends, and church family. She does not have a blog….yet.

Take some time to read through Psalm 107

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindess,
And for His wonders to the sons of men!” 

Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31

I stumbled upon these words one morning; sipping coffee to clear my foggy brain, praying that the Word would penetrate, would speak life. That phrase caught my eye as it cycled through Psalm 107. Over and over it swung back to the page. Then other words, other phrases, repeated, pleaded for my attention. 

I don’t know about you, but when I was younger, I thought repetition in the Bible was boring. But as I parent, I find that I repeat myself a lot, especially when I have something important to say. I learned in a Bible study that our Heavenly Father does the same. So in that moment, I trusted my God had something important to say. 

Before I share what He showed me, let me say that I hope you read Psalm 107 for yourself, and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you as well. 

 
Psalm 107 is about a redeemed people – people rescued from a dangerous enemy – people with stories to tell, praises to sing, thanks to proclaim! But before they became that redeemed lot, they began as a much different one: lost, humbled, broken – like each one of us, really, before we were plucked from the hand of our foe.

Four groups of people are described, gathered from the four corners of the world. From everywhere. 

The first group were wandering in a desert; their supplies had run out and they had no place to call home, nowhere to put down roots, no community in which to belong.
 
The second people described were a defiant bunch, and in their rebellion found themselves fettered by bars of iron, held in deep darkness.
 
The third were a collection of fools, pitiful souls suffering significantly in body as a result of their poor choices. 
 
The fourth were sailors –men just going about their work. Why sailors? At first glance, their trouble isn’t obvious. Perhaps they were overly confident in themselves? But Scripture makes it clear they weren’t when facing a raging storm!
 
Four groups of desperate people in different scrapes – yet, I think, with some commonalities: whether willfully or not, each group was trying to do this life apart from God. And it didn’t work. Once they were completely aware of their complete lack, they cried out to Him. They couldn’t perform great acts to earn God’s favor or gain His attention. They were at their wit’s end, with nothing left but to cry out to their Maker. 

“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble;
He delivered them out of their distresses.”
 
Psalm 107:6

Four people. Four times. EACH cry was heard, and in EACH instance, deliverance was executed through a dramatic rescue by our unchanging, unchangeable God. He was MERCIFUL. He was the ONLY Savior. He came in breathtaking power – in acts of wonder – in lovingkindness (which is mentioned six times in Psalm 107, so it must be important!). 

The Hero of His errant people. 

He tenderly directed the lost to a city where they could dwell and satisfied their hunger and thirst.

He broke the bonds of the rebellious ones, releasing them from their captivity, leading them into the light.

He SPOKE a word, and the sick were healed.

The Hebrew language tells us those sailors found their wisdom literally “swallowed up” when they witnessed the Almighty’s power demonstrated on the high seas. And what did He do when they called to Him? He silenced the storm to a whisper, and led them to “their desired haven.”

What did He want from these people He had preserved? What does He want from me? From you?  

The Psalm opens with a charge to the Redeemed to “say so.” We are to tell our stories of redemption. What has He rescued you from? What wonders has He performed in my life? Just like those in Psalm 107, we are participants of the divine pattern: we cry out, He delivers. We can do nothing to save ourselves. He cannot help but be merciful. He will hear – does hear – and answers our cry.

Has He led you out of a wilderness? Smashed the chains that bound you? Spoken a word that healed you? Hushed the storms in your life? Do you recognize your story of rescue in His Story?
 
As His beloved, redeemed people, we are to remember His rescue. We are to tell those stories of His saving. We are to praise Him. Praise in this context is translated a “ringing cry.” I want my life to be a ringing cry – pointing to the One who has rescued me. 

Let’s “say so” together!

With Praise,
Kris

Deep Breaths:

1. Reread Psalm 107 and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate a scripture for you to focus on and memorize.

2. Spend some time reflecting on one or more of the following questions in your journal, or  with a close friend or family member.

In what ways has He led
you out of a wilderness? 

How has He smashed the chains that bound you?
What were the circumstances surrounding Him speaking a
word that healed you?

How has He hushed the storms in your life? 
Do you recognize
your story of rescue in His Story?

3. If this post doesn’t preach to you, I’m not sure what will! Wow, what a call to testify to God’s redemption in our lives. I feel like we could camp out here for awhile. Let’s “say so” today all over social media. Just hashtag #sayso and give God praise for a specific way He has redeemed or rescued you. Let’s give Him praise and glory all over this place!

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Filed Under: Psalms Series, Uncategorized Tagged With: confession, forgiveness, freedom, God, healing, Psalms Series, questions, redemption, scripture, testimony, thanksgiving

Previous Post: « Five Minute Friday: Hands
Next Post: Psalm 108: Harmony of Grace »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth Stiff says

    June 6, 2014 at 10:39 am

    Really, truly, Katie, thank you for this series and to all who are contributing to is. Thank you for leading me to spend more time in the Psalms through it. So grateful. Beautiful post, Kris.

    • Katie says

      June 6, 2014 at 10:44 am

      You are most welcome friend!:) I keep singing songs that parallel the posts- and I started laughing, because aren't the psalms songs after all?:)

    • Kristen Ratkos says

      June 7, 2014 at 1:29 am

      Thank you, Beth! I agree with you – the Lord has ministered to me mightily through the Psalms…it's wonderful to read other's reflections and spend more time meditating on His precious Word.

  2. Katie says

    June 6, 2014 at 10:43 am

    Kris- Thank you for the gift of these powerful words. Thank you for sharing His Word and putting Him on display for His glory. You are a blessing!:)

    • Kristen Ratkos says

      June 7, 2014 at 1:32 am

      Isn't it just breathtaking and humbling that He chooses to speak to us? So in awe of Him. Thanks for inviting me to join you!!

  3. Holly Barrett says

    June 6, 2014 at 11:45 am

    Kris – what a beautiful post! Yes, let's live our lives in such a way that they shout our redemption for all to see!

    • Kristen Ratkos says

      June 7, 2014 at 1:37 am

      Thank you, Holly! Yes!

  4. Alecia Simersky says

    June 6, 2014 at 2:14 pm

    Oh, this is just, so good!! Like, the others this series has been a sweet blessing to me. It's been great to hop over and read these words from Psalms.

    • Kristen Ratkos says

      June 7, 2014 at 1:38 am

      Thank you Alecia! And we're only on day 11. Yay!

  5. Sabra Penley says

    June 7, 2014 at 12:04 am

    When my husband was lying unconscious, not expected to live, the Lord calmed my spirit with Psalm 107:28-30. This will always be a precious psalm to me. Thanks, Kris, for this great post.

    • Kristen Ratkos says

      June 7, 2014 at 1:43 am

      Thank you, Sabra, for sharing!

    • Kelley says

      June 8, 2014 at 12:40 am

      It is such sweetness when He provides scriptures that get engraved on our hearts to heal what hurts the most!

  6. Kelley says

    June 8, 2014 at 12:42 am

    Thank you Kris! This has been a great series, but it is super special to read from someone I personally know as well! I love your insight on this Psalm. I wasn't catching the 4 types of people listed here. I think we have all been in each situation at some point in our lives. "I want my life to be a ringing cry, pointing to the one who rescued me" – Love it!

  7. Kristen Ratkos says

    June 8, 2014 at 1:25 am

    Thanks, Kelley! 🙂 I look forward to reading your post as well!

  8. Julie says

    June 9, 2014 at 2:16 pm

    This is absolutely beautiful! I'm a little behind in my reading from last week, but wanted to let you know, Kris, how your post blessed me with recalling all God has done for me though His Son Jesus Christ! Thank you!

  9. Kristen Ratkos says

    June 11, 2014 at 12:02 pm

    Julie – many thanks! 🙂 What could be more beautiful, more amazing this His love expressed in our redemption?

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Hi, I'm Katie (a Modern Martha, wife, and mom to five). I'm so glad you're here! Let's enjoy some cut-to-the-chase conversation over hot or iced tea, as we find grace in the unraveling of life (together). Let's exchange try-hard striving for hope-filled freedom as we settle into our position as a doer and a daughter—created by a Loving Father.

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