#DailyDevotion The LORD Jesus’ Goodness & Mercy Are Forever
Psalm 107 23Those who go down to sail the sea in ships, who do their business on the high seas, 24saw what the LORD can do and His wonders in the deep waters. 25He spoke and raised a storm and made its waves dash high. 26Men went up to the heights and down to the depths; the disaster melted their courage; 27reeling and staggering like drunkards, all their skills became useless. 28Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. 29He made the storm calm down, and the waves around them were still. 30They were glad it was quiet. So He brought them to the haven they longed for. 31Let them thank the LORD for His goodness, for doing wonderful things for men. 32Let them glorify Him in the congregation of the people, and praise Him where elders sit.
Is this referring to something in Israel’s past? The only thing I can think of is Jonah, who when thrown overboard to die stilled the waters. Perhaps the psalmist is prophetically seeing Jesus with His disciples on the sea of Galilee. They indeed heard and saw what the LORD Jesus Christ can do. They were in a great panic while Jesus slept. When they woke Him to have Him help bail, He commanded the wind and the waves to be still and cease. Everything calmed down around them at that moment. They glorified and worshiped Jesus. We are called to join them in their hymn of praise for all His goodness and the wonderful things He has done.
33He changes rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, 34and fertile ground into a salt flat because the people living there are wicked. 35He changes the desert into pools of water and dry ground into springs of water. 36There He settles those who are hungry and they build towns to live in. 37Then they sow fields and plant vineyards that produce a crop. 38He blesses them; they get to be very many, and He doesn’t let them lose any cattle.
We recall during the time of Elijah when he commanded by the word of the LORD there would be no rain. All Israel was in a severe drought for three years because of all their wickedness following Ahab and Jezebel. Then the LORD commanded through the prophet for it to rain and it all was restored again. The people rejoiced in the LORD, their God and Savior.
The LORD brought the people of Judah out of Babylon for them to settle the land once again. He gave them towns and cities in which to dwell in. He blessed them with many good things.
We look forward to inheriting the New Heavens and New Earth when our LORD Jesus Christ returns. He will settle us in this place He has prepared for us. In that place we will plant and receive the harvest at the proper time. All things will work together for our good in that place and wickedness and iniquity will not be found there anymore.
39Their numbers had become few and they sank down under oppression, disaster, and grief. 40He had poured contempt on their noblemen and had made them wander in a pathless wilderness. 41But now He lifts the poor from misery and makes their families like a flock. 42The righteous are glad to see it, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. 43Are you wise? Then watch for these things and see for yourself the goodness of the LORD.
The LORD brought the few Jews when they were brought into exile in Babylon. Their nobles who led them into idolatry and wickedness were brought low. Yet, the LORD at the appointed time lifted them up and brought them back into the land and made them numerous again. Those who trusted in the LORD were glad to see it. The LORD Jesus now blesses His Church and causes its increase. We look to the signs of His return so we may see the goodness of the LORD Jesus Christ in the Land of the Living, the New Jerusalem.
Merciful God and Father, bring us at last into that good land You have promised us in Christ Jesus so we may eternally sing of Your goodness and mercy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.