Scripture: Psalm 107:10-14
Some sat in darkness and in gloom, prisoners in misery and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor; they fell down, with no one to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress; he brought them out of darkness and gloom, and broke their bonds asunder.
Thought for the Day: As we continue to look at Psalm 107, I have to wonder if the author was referring to the Babylonians Exile or Egyptian slavery with these words. Whatever the case, the author appears to be suggesting that our choices have consequences. This shouldn’t be earth shattering to anyone, yet so often I see people asking God to save them from the consequences of bad choices. God is gracious, but I believe the universe has some basic order to it. It was Newton who theorized that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. I don’t believe God usurps this law, but is there as we struggle through the aftermath. Even when the full consequences of our actions leave us feeling as if we are in utter darkness, we are not beyond the love of God (remember the opening part of this Psalm). When we cry from the darkness, it may feel as if we are yelling into an abyss, but there is no darkness beyond God.
Prayer: Before I cried out to you, Mighty God, you were there in my darkest hour. It is often my cry – my feeling of utter powerlessness – that awakens me to that everlasting presence. Thank you! Amen.
