International
11 October 07
Psalm 107 – Security
Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to a city to dwell in;
5hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
6Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7He led them by a straight way
till they reached a city to dwell in.
8Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
9For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
So far we’ve seen that Psalm 107 is all about God’s love, and that we understand what love is by thinking about the things that God does for us; ‘Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.’ (Psalm 107:43). In particular the writer of this psalm takes 4 situations to highlight the different aspects of God’s love for us, where God’s people are in distress and where he saves them. Each situation is introduced by the word ‘some’ (vs 4, 10, 17, 23) e.g. ‘some wandered into deserts’ and starts by showing Israel in real danger. In every scenario we’re told that ‘they cried out to the Lord in their trouble’ (vs 6, 13, 19, 28). As soon as they cry out to God, he mercifully delivers them from their distress, and graciously restores them. Each situation focuses in on a particular need and a particular aspect of what God saves us from and therefore what God’s love means for those who cry out to him. In so doing we’re shown that God’s love gives us – security, freedom, life, and peace.
The insecurity of the world of sport
‘Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in, hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them’. For people in ancient society, the city was a symbol of safety and security, offering protection behind the city walls. Travelling between cities on roads was dangerous enough, with thieves and robbers waiting to prey on passers-by, but wandering around lost in a desert is a symbol of being totally exposed, of having no security at all.
Over the weekend we saw some incredible rugby matches, and whilst I was thrilled at England’s victory I couldn’t help but notice how fickle and insecure sport is. Four years ago Jonny Wilkinson was on top of the world – holding aloft the William Webb-Ellis trophy acclaimed as ‘the perfect 10’. Fast-forward two years, to the British Lions tour, where beset by injuries he was totally outplayed by Dan Carter – the young, superbly talented All Black fly-half. Now fast-forward another two years to last weekend, and in the space of two lots of 80 minutes, Jonny Wilkinson was back on top of the world and Dan Carter was sitting on the side-of the pitch, substituted and looking like a broken man. Who would look to the world of sport for security?
And yet so many players do just that. They (and we) think that if only they play well-enough, or win that game, or get that recognition, or break into that team – then they’ll have security. However the reality is that they’re just wandering in desert wastes - finding no city to dwell in.
But as we’ll look at in more depth next week, the moment anyone cries out to God through Christ then ‘he delivers them from their distress’, and leads them ‘by a straight way until they reached a city’. Through Christ, God gives real security; The security of knowing forgiveness and reconciliation with God, and the forgiveness of an eternity with him.
So don’t wander in the desert looking for security in the world of sport, because it’ll only leave you hungry and thirsty, but instead day by day cry out to God and enjoy the security he gives us all in Christ. ‘Whoever is wise let him attend to these things’.
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