I liked two points to be found in Psalm 107, the text, set for today’s reading and meditation.
The first point, is the same one Selwyn uses as his key verse, and the following verses provide the context, Psalm 107:1-3 (NIV): “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story – those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.”
The second point – reinforces the first – Psalm 107:42-43 (NIV): ” … The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths. Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the LORD.”
It’s an easy observation to make that those who have been saved by Jesus, tell their story; and all the others, who are wicked, shut their mouths. There are only two groups – you, are either saved or you remain held in bondage by sin and death.
I also found this fact raised by Selwyn to be interesting: ” … most of the people whose healing is recording in the Gospels were brought to Jesus by another person.” Of course, there are some well known exceptions, yet – there is a common theme of people helping others to bring them near to Jesus. Personally, I like the story, of the guys breaking through a roof to lower their friend down into a crowded room where Jesus was to be found. Mark 2:3-5 (NIV): ‘Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” ‘
On the news each night, you often hear of a story of someone being rescued from a flood or fire – and all they can talk about is how grateful they are, that they have been rescued. We have been rescued from an eternity of suffering – far worse then a terrible death in a house or bush fire – yet, there are some who remain silent – how, can this be?