God Promises to Save You from Distress

Psalms 107:6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress…13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress…19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress…28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. 
 
EACH of these four verses remembers a specific time in Israel’s history when the LORD saved them from their distress.
   The first distress is during Israel’s desert wandering. V 5 They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. But then he redeemed them. v 7 He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. When we remember God’s redemptive work, it is always good to praise him. Thatt’s why the psalm then exhorts Israel to remember and v 8 give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. God not only delivered them from distress, but he delivered them into his bounty prepared in Canaan. V 9 For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Indeed, this is an illustration of God’s great work to deliver us from sin’s distress.
    The psalm then goes to the time of the exile when many were imprisoned or carried off in chains to Babylon. V 10 Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains. Why were they in chains? V11 They had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. God’s response to their rebellion was to v 12 give them over to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
   Still even amid the rebellion God remained true to his promise. V 13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Then once more the response is to v 15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, 16 for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron. The devil wants to keep you in strong chains of his oppression. He can’t hold you because the LORD God redeems you.  
   Third, the psalm remembers how the LORD delivered the sick from death. V 17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. But v 19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 20 He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Once more is the response to v 21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.
   Fourth, the psalm remembers that God rescued sailors. V 23 Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They sailed in the storms. V 25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. 27b They were at their wits’ end. But v 28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. 29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. And what is their response? V 31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.
           Four times the psalm remembers that God delivers his people from distress. And four times the psalm declares, “Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. How good it is to praise God. How good it is to remember he has delivered us from the great distress of hopelessness and longing. How joyful is our expression to live in God’s redemptive promise to deliver us from our daily distress into the hope of his eternal embrace on our lives.