After 40 years of wandering, over 10 judges, 43 kings, the splitting of a kingdom, and the Israelites’ exile to Assyria, the southern kingdom of Judah found themselves in the exact same position that their ancestors had over 5 centuries prior: displaced. With a track record of disobedience and idolatry, a driving desire to do whatever they pleased, and an allegiance to former kings’ sinful ways, yet another prophetic word came to fruition. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and the Chaldeans, broke down the walls surrounding Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, ultimately carrying the thousands who were left or had escaped death into exile in Babylon. As Jeremiah had predicted, the land became a waste and the people of Judah, including Daniel and Ezekiel, had to serve Nebuchadnezzar for seven decades in order for the land to rest after a multitude of unobserved Sabbath years.
It is believed that the 107th psalm is written with that period of exile in mind. In it, four accounts of people in distress are featured. First off were the wanderers. These dispersed, weak, and weary travelers didn’t know where to go. They were hungry, thirsty, and cried to the Lord. Secondly, were the afflicted captives. Their lives were defined by darkness and bondage as they were forced to labor for an earthly king, after rejecting the one true King. They too cried to the Lord. The third group were fools, to put it plainly. They were sick and suffering, on the brink of death due to their sinful ways. Nothing could satisfy them, and so they cried to the Lord. Lastly, were the sailors. A group of people that were put to work, overwhelmed by the elements that He created. They found their skill to be useless, lost courage, and cried to the Lord.
To paraphrase the great Charles Spurgeon, they could not help themselves, nor find help in others. It took them a while before they cried out to God, but once they did, He was quick to welcome and save them.
What did the Savior do? He safely led them directly to a place to live; He brought them out of darkness and broke their chains; He healed them with His word and delivered them from their destruction; He calmed the sea and the storm.
Whether you are unsure where to go in life, are held captive by a dark struggle, are discontent with the outcome of your foolish living, or are overwhelmed by the storms in your life, please know that He hears your cry and longs to live in unity with you. His heart is for an everlasting kingdom full of joy and rest. He wants to satisfy you and fill you with good things. He wants to shatter the prison cells you find yourself in. He wants to bring you safely to harbor. He did it then, He did it with His disciples, and He’s doing it now.
