Jon continued in Psalms this past Sunday by walking us through chapter 107. He kicked off the conversation asking "How much is enough?" "How much money would satisfy you?" Sometimes we want all the benefits of money but not the problems that may come with it. Many lottery winners destroy their lives. Sometimes there is no control for greed. We think we need more money, more blessings, more, more, more.... The world tells us we constantly need more. We have more freedom and opportunity than any other country in the world and we continue to want more.
This led us to gratefulness and how to be thankful.
Psalms 107 is broken into the following: deadly threat, cry for help, God's deliverance, call to thank and praise God, and finally wisdom.
Verses 4-9 discuss a "city to dwell in." They needed a safe place, they needed a Father.
Verses 10-16 contains a cry from being imprisoned and having no control over injustice. God can break the bonds of injustice which leads them to thankfulness.
Verses 17-22 paints the picture of addiction and how he delivered them from their distress.
In today's world, conservatives may cry "God is King!" and then liberals may cry "God is Love!" and what we need to know is He is BOTH! God gives justice AND protects and loves us.
Verses 23-32 discuss our omnipotent creator for when you face those times where life is so hard....this is a desperate plea.
And finally, verses 33-43 show wisdom in knowing who God is.
Psalms 107: 43 "Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord."
We live in a time of full information to anything we want to know about. This is not wisdom. Putting knowledge into practice and having it change your character is wisdom.
All of this leads to gratefulness. Gratefulness must be recognized in order to make an impact and it can be transforming. We were challenged to journal as often as you can ways God has been good to you. We are the recipients of goodness. So much of our life does not reflect on this goodness. We live in a violent sinful world and need gratitude.
Research shows that pausing to be grateful once a week can impact your life. Try this practice....when you come to a close of something like a vacation or a long weekend, start to be thankful. Be present and don't start thinking about what is ahead. Be in the moment and give thanks. Depth and detail is more important than the breath of gratitude.
