Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy. Psalm 107:17-22
“We meet rebellious fools who deliberately disobeyed God’s law and suffered for their folly. The “gates of death” led into sheol, the land of the dead. The Lord heard their cries and stopped them at the very gates and permitted them to live. They did not deserve this blessing, but such is the mercy of the Lord. In Scripture, sickness is often used as a picture of sin and its painful consequences, but not all sickness is the result of sin. Because the Lord healed these repentant rebels, they should praise Him, sing to Him, and bring thank offerings to Him. In verse 20, the Word of God is compared to medicine that God sends for their healing.”
Warren Wiersbe in Be Exultant: Praising God for His Mighty Works – Psalms 90-150 (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2004) 76.
All of us are guilty of disobeying God’s laws.
In Psalm 107, we are reminded that our sins take us toward destruction, like a sickness they aim to take our life, but God in His mercy delivers us, like medicine. What is our response to the healing that God gives so generously?
As we begin another week, I want to challenge you to join me in celebrating the healing we as “repentant rebels” have from the Lord. And consider responding with David by bringing thank offerings.
A thank offering was a response to God’s mercy. Pause to consider today what God has done for you, and delivered you from. In the Old Testament it took shape as cakes of unleavened bread.
Imagine a cake that was symbolically free of sin. We can make such cakes, such thank offerings to God, too. But how? Do something generous free of selfish motives that reflects God’s love and law to a watching world.
This kind of generosity shows the world a picture of God’s grace through the humble gratitude in our hearts. And in these pandemic times, it shows the world that God’s love is the only cure for the plague of sin.
Soak in Psalm 107 and ask God how your thank offering for His unfailing love should take shape.