Let the redeemed of the Lord say so Reflections on Psalm 107 Lindsay Park Baptist Church 19th August 2018

the Redeemed of the Lord Introduction – two ways to see! As pictures of God redeeming his people Israel As pictures of God redeeming people throughout time (Note: Both are true!) the Redeemed of the Lord

!  Follows Psalms 105 and 106 ... “He gave them the lands of the nations” Psalm 105 v. 44 “He would ... scatter them throughout the lands” Psalm 106 vv. 26-27 “The redeemed of the Lord ... those he gathered from the lands” Psalm 107 vv. 2-3 Introduction – Psalm 107

Psalm 107 for God’s people God redeems! (vv. 1-3 cf. Psalm 106:47) Wandering, hunger & thirst – past! (vv.4-9) Confinement & captivity – past! (vv.10-16) Sin & affliction – past! (vv. 17-22) Insignificance & peril – past! (vv. 23-32) God is sovereign! (vv.24-43) Psalm 107 for God’s people

Say so! Psalm 107 for God’s people God redeems! (vv. 1-3 cf. Psalm 106:47) Wandering, hunger & thirst – past! (vv.4-9) Confinement & captivity – past! (vv.10-16) Sin & affliction – past! (vv. 17-22) Insignificance & peril – past! (vv. 23-32) God is sovereign! (vv.24-43) Say so! Psalm 107 for God’s people

the Redeemed of the Lord But Psalm 107 is also personal for ... Those who have lost their way Those whose pride rejects God Those whose lifestyle rejects God Those battered by life’s storms the Redeemed of the Lord

“Some ...” – describes who we are talking about “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.” What specifically the Lord did for them “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.” Their reason to give God thanks and praise There is a pattern ...

lost

Lost

“The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” LOST (vv. 4-9) Physical ‘lostness’ and hunger/thirst (vv.4-5) becomes spiritual “the longing soul” (v.9) An echo of ‘those who hunger and thirst for righteousness’? Note Mary in the Magnificat (Luke 1:53) echoes v.9 Longing, emptiness, belonging, purpose, direction = lostness Jesus is the Way, the Bread of Life, the Living Water Luke 15 – lost and found parables. “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Lk.19:10) “I have come that they might have life, ...” (John 10:10) Destination is a city (cf. Eph.2:11-22; Heb.12:22; Rev. 21 & 22) which speaks of permanence and security in Christ. Jesus redeems – buys back – those who know themselves lost. “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” Luke 19:10

“freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind.” PROUD PROUD (vv. 10-16) ‘Imprisoned’ (vv.10, 16) in the context of rejecting God’s word. Again, Mary in the Magnificat (Luke 1:51) ‘scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts’ Many people have proudly set themselves against God (Richard Dawkins: “The God Delusion”), C.S. Lewis, Saul: “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14) Exhausting! In darkness – life loses its light and colour – contrast with Wesley: “I woke, the dungeon flamed with light” Jesus: “He sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind.” (Luke 4:18) There is another – more dangerous – pride, that chooses to suppress what it knows of God, to squeeze Him out. You know. Jesus can set you free from an imprisoned mind (v.16): “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36) “freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind.” Luke 4:18

Lifestyle SINFUL (vv.17-22) Lifestyle in opposition to God: fools who act as if God is to be ignored, fools by lifestyle choice – a practical atheism. (Created universe; “The Fool” scriptures) Appetite for life is lost (18); Deliverance is from illness and destruction (20); “put off” your former way of life (Eph.4:22) Note: Jesus made clear that there is no simple, direct, universal connection between sin and illness “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 Sacrifices of thanksgiving – the redemption has already happened! “Say so” is thanks to God *** All who have come to know Jesus have come through repentance and faith – we are all saved sinners *** Communion reminds us of this. “He ... will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Come to me ... and I will give you rest. My yoke is easy ... Exhausted BATTERED and EXHAUSTED BY LIFE AND WORK (vv.23-32) Admiring God and His works, yet battered by life: “At their wits’ end” (v.27) In work there is both great glory and great peril. It is part of what we are made for from Creation, yet is twisted by sin. Are you carrying loads you were never designed for – at work, in Church or elsewhere – becoming exhausted, battered, stressed? Note: God stills the storm (cf. Jesus on Galilee) and brings the exhausted home to harbour. “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.” (Mt.11:28- 30) “The yoke”. Story: the hiking pack – hard to carry unless well- fitted. Come to me ... and I will give you rest. My yoke is easy ... Matthew 11:28, 30

the Redeemed of the Lord Those who have lost their way Those whose pride rejects God Those whose lifestyle rejects God Those battered by life’s storms the Redeemed of the Lord

the Redeemed of the Lord Those who have lost their way Those whose pride rejects God Those whose lifestyle rejects God Those battered by life’s storms Say so! the Redeemed of the Lord

God so loved ... God so loved ... Say so! ... that He gave ...