WEEK 24 “DEALING WITH SITUATIONS OF DISTRESS!” PSALM 107

Read Psalm 107

In this Psalm we find that there are 4 SITUATIONS OF DISTRESS the Psalmist presents.

1.vs 4-5 The first situation of distress refers to the WILDERNESS period the Israelites went through during Moses’ time!! It was a season in which they couldn’t settle and where there were times of hunger and thirst. Thus, the wilderness can represent seasons of LACK in our lives and where we need DIRECTION in our WANDERING!!

It is in the wilderness seasons that we need to remember that God is our provider and directs our paths! (vs 7-9, Proverbs 3:5-6)

2.vs 10-12 the second situation of distress could refer to when Israel was in CAPTIVITY/EXILE. Many were in chains and suffering during this time!! Often at times, this can be due to our own disobedience and sin (vs 11). The captivity season could represent seasons of BONDAGE AND SUFFERING in our lives, when we are at times captive to our sin, the enemy satan and spiritual attack.

It is in these seasons of bondage that we need to be reminded that Jesus is the one who SETS US FREE! (vs 14-16, Luke 4:18)

3.vs 17-18 the third situation of distress was SICKNESS AND AFFLICTION! All of us at times face situations or seasons of sickness and affliction in our lives!! Sometimes it can be due to our own sin (vs 17) at other times it can be for God’s bigger purpose as in the book of Job!! It is during these times that we need to

keep remembering that God is our HEALER and is the one who ultimately rescues us from death (vs 20, John 11:25-26, Exodus 15:26, Psalm 103:3, Romans 8:11, 1 Peter 2:24).

4.vs 23-27 the fourth situation of distress mentioned by the Psalmist refers to STORMS IN OUR LIFE!! Merchants who were travelling the seas experienced unnatural storms that threatened their very lives and took away their courage!! This reminds us of the story of Jonah 1:4-16 where God sent a storm because of Jonah’s sin and this caused the merchants/sailors to cry out to God!! It also reminds us of the story of Paul in Acts 27:22-26 where sailors who didn’t heed Paul’s advice got caught in such a severe storm, they lost all courage. The STORMS in life can represent those trials that are often beyond our control (just like the sailors can’t control the wind or the waves), that may cause us to FEAR or DESPAIR!! It is in these times that we need to remember that The Lord is the one who CALMS OUR STORM (vs 29 ,Matthew 8:26-27) with supernatural peace (Philippians 4:6-7) and GUIDES US THROUGH THE STORM to the other side!! (vs 29-30)

Q. WHICH TYPE OF DISTRESSING SITUATION DO YOU MOST RELATE TO IN YOUR CURRENT SEASON?

What you will find in each of these 4 distressing situations, is that the common link as explained by the psalmist in vs 6,13,19 and 28 is that they CRIED OUT TO THE LORD IN THEIR DISTRESS, and GOD DELIVERED THEM!!

No matter what situation or trial we are going through, will we learn to CRY OUT TO JESUS IN OUR DISTRESS?

And what is the RESPONSE we should give when He delivers us?

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men,” (vs 8,15,21 and 31)

May we too GIVE THANKS TO JESUS when He delivers us!!