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Let Us Heed These Things
Psalm 107:33-43
Andy Nagahara
A. Reasons for withering and flourishing (33-38)
He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs; there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle. They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest; he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish.
For the people of Israel and the surrounding areas at that time, water was so precious that it is completely unimaginable to those of us who live in Japan where water is abundant.
There were few places where water was abundant, and most of the land was barren. People can only live and grow crops in places where there is water. They can’t live in dry areas.
If water dries up in places where it has been abundantly available, it will be a matter of life and death.
Israel is famous for the Dead Sea, which is ten times saltier than the normal sea, but it became so because of the salt that flowed from the soil that originally contained a lot of salt. When the spring water stops flowing, the area becomes a salt land where vegetation cannot grow.
On the other hand, if water springs up in a parched land, the hungry will be led into that land, towns will be built, and the surrounding area will be cultivated. Grain and vineyards will yield a fruitful harvest from such land.
However, what we can learn from the Psalmist today is not the actual events surrounding the drought, but the attitude of our hearts toward God.
And the Psalmist believes that “evil” calls for ruin.
On the other hand, the psalmist compares and contrasts how God invites the poor, blesses them, and gives them a rich life.
In our time, we can relate to the Psalmist’s understanding because we are seeing the actual destruction of the natural environment by the very unlimited greed of the people.
But what about the blessing for the poor in the second half? Let’s think about that as we read the next part.
B. Those who have more will be humbled and those who are poor will be lifted up (39-41)
Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow; he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste. But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks.
This part is quoted from chapter 22 of Job. It’s hard to see the connection, but it becomes easier to understand if you read verses 40 and 39 in a reverse order
In other words, the rich and high-ranking people who do not care for the poor will be condemned by God and will lose their positions and decline, while the poor will be raised. It says that God’s justice will be done.
The Psalmist reminds us that during the Babylonian captivity, the people taken away were the noble class and the people left behind were the poor, but the poor did not become rich at that time.
And even in today’s society, hunger, poverty and inequality seem to be growing even wider!
It seems that God’s thoughts are not yet fully reflected in our society. God’s work for the hungry and the poor is in progr
Jesus Christ came into the world for the purpose of solving this problem too. He does not do it by Himself , but by gradually realizing it through the lives of those who believe in Him.
Last time, we learned from the first half of this Psalm that we encountered Jesus through various hardships and were set free. Not only were we freed, but we were also made a part of Jesus’ body, the church.
It means that we are now in the ministry of Jesus. Jesus invites people with the following words.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” （Matthew 11:28−30）
If you have believed in Jesus, but there is no peace in your soul, the reason is written here. You have not only laid down your burdens, but are you taking on the yoke of Jesus?
If that is not the case, please pray and think about what the yoke of Jesus that you ought to take on for yourself and for others is , and take it on!
C. Those who are wise will heed these things and consider the love of the LORD (42, 43)
The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths. Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD.
The upright the Bible talks of are those who obey God’s will.
They are people who hate going against God’s will, and who love and help those whom God loves.
So those people rejoice when they see God removing arrogant people and lifting up the poor, the weak, and the small.
Jesus taught the people on the mountain in these memorable words
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.（Matthew 5:3−12）
As the righteous, the wise, and the blessed, let us realize the words of today’s psalm and continue our work with the Lord in peace wherever we are sent.
Jesus taught the people on the mountain in these memorable words
(prayer) Thank you, God, for your grace that has freed us from many hardships, given us a purpose in life, and blessed us with the ability to walk through life with you!
Please prepare us to have your eyes, your heart, and to serve the people you have prepared for us.
Fill our hearts with your love, your compassion, and use us.
Summary
Who does God stand beside? It is the poor, the thirsty, and small and the oppressed. This is not just about social or financial status, but rather our approach to life. God also stands with those who care for the poor and do not despise them. With Jesus and like Jesus, let us love and walk alongside the poor and the small.
For Discussion
1) Who are the upright?
2) What does it mean to consider the great love of the LORD?
For the Children
Talk to each other about what kind of people God has compassion on and lends strength to. Teach them that a child is one of the little ones, but that God uses the little ones to help and comfort others.