His steadfast love endures forever

Psalm 136:1–26 (ESV): 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, 

for his steadfast love endures forever. 

 2  Give thanks to the God of gods, 

for his steadfast love endures forever. 

 3  Give thanks to the Lord of lords, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 4  to him who alone does great wonders, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 5  to him who by understanding made the heavens, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 6  to him who spread out the earth above the waters, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 7  to him who made the great lights, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 8  the sun to rule over the day, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 9  the moon and stars to rule over the night, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 10  to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 11  and brought Israel out from among them, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 12  with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 13  to him who divided the Red Sea in two, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 14  and made Israel pass through the midst of it, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 15  but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 16  to him who led his people through the wilderness, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 17  to him who struck down great kings, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 18  and killed mighty kings, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 19  Sihon, king of the Amorites, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 20  and Og, king of Bashan, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 21  and gave their land as a heritage, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 22  a heritage to Israel his servant, 

for his steadfast love endures forever. 

 23  It is he who remembered us in our low estate, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 24  and rescued us from our foes, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 25  he who gives food to all flesh, 

for his steadfast love endures forever. 

 26  Give thanks to the God of heaven, 

for his steadfast love endures forever. 

This account of the greatness of God, from being the creator to the God who saw Israel through every step, hurdle, and barrier in the wilderness, demonstrates that every success, every difficulty, every wonderful thing is because, ‘his steadfast love endures forever’. You could write your own version of your life in this style. For from the moment you took your first breath til your last, ‘his steadfast love endures forever’. 

I was unwell and people feared for my life, 

‘for his steadfast love endures forever’. 

Now i am restored and well, 

‘for his steadfast love endures forever’

At the times when i felt most alone and afraid, 

‘for his steadfast love endures forever’. 

As i became a wife, 

‘for his steadfast love endures forever’. 

We have moved to different places 

‘for his steadfast love endures forever’. 

At times, suffering terrible grief, 

‘for his steadfast love endures forever’. 

When there doesn’t seem to be enough,

‘for his steadfast love endures forever’. 

our needs have always been met,

‘for his steadfast love endures forever’

God sees, remembers and responds

‘for his steadfast love endures forever’

Why don’t you give it a go? Think about key themes or elements of your life and repeat to yourself that, ‘his steadfast love endures forever’ after each one. These things have happened and been experienced, but through them all, you can always know God’s committed adoration towards you. His love, power, protection, peace and presence are for eternity. He is in every moment, every challenge, trial and success of life. He wants to commiserate and celebrate with you throughout your life. Are you acknowledging His presence with you in every season? What moments has God been in with you? Think about it, allow yourself the opportunity to acknowledge God’s presence; past, present and future. No matter what you face, ‘his steadfast love endures forever’. How incredible is that! No wonder this psalm ends, ‘Give thanks to the God of heaven’. God deserves your recognition and praise for He has been through all that you have. He has rescued you, protected you, healed you, provided for you, and loved you through it all. His steadfast love certainly does endure forever.

Is your help in the name of the Lord?

Psalm 124:1–8 (ESV):  

1  If it had not been the Lord who was on our side— 

let Israel now say— 

 2  if it had not been the Lord who was on our side 

when people rose up against us, 

 3  then they would have swallowed us up alive, 

when their anger was kindled against us; 

 4  then the flood would have swept us away, 

the torrent would have gone over us; 

 5  then over us would have gone 

the raging waters. 

 6  Blessed be the Lord, 

who has not given us 

as prey to their teeth! 

 7  We have escaped like a bird 

from the snare of the fowlers; 

  the snare is broken, 

and we have escaped! 

 8  Our help is in the name of the Lord, 

who made heaven and earth. 

You wouldn’t be where you are right now if it were not for God’s intervention. You wouldn’t have; survived, been as successful, as peaceful, as whole, or as strong as you are right now, if it were not for God’s hand upon your life. 

You may not feel strong, whole, mighty, free or at peace, but can you imagine what your life would be like if God wasn’t looking after you? Imagine what a mess you’d be in. You could be defeated, destroyed, in greater pain and distress, encompassed by sin, bound and swallowed up by anger. What kind of life would that be? Yet, ‘the snare has been broken’ and you have not been ‘swallowed up alive’! Not because of luck, your own quick thinking or actions, but because The Lord has been on your side. He has saved you from the ‘raging waters’, the full force of people’s anger, and you have escaped being prey ‘like a bird’ because your ‘help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.’

Therefore, thank God! Thank Him that He is on your side, and that He helps you, and all of His followers. He has not allowed you to be overcome or defeated, He has facilitated your escape from trouble on this Earth, as well as rescuing you from the wages of sin for eternity - ‘the snare is broken and we have escaped’! What an incredible promise! It is God who has done this, all of it! It is not your own ideas or capability, strength or knowledge that has helped you out of trouble, but God has saved you. God has healed you, protected you, recused you, intervened for you and saved you from the wages of sin! He has helped you in more ways than you can count. 

So, simply and honestly, all you need to do is thank Him. Show your gratitude, sing praise, give to him, tell stories, shout and cry in triumph if you want to! Store up the stories. remember and tell others of the times you have ‘escaped like a bird’.  Acknowledge that God is the greatest help you have. You wouldn’t be the person you are today, having accomplished and survived what you have ‘if it had not been the Lord who was on our side’. Hallelujah!

The one leper

Psalm 116:1–19 (ESV): 

116 I love the Lord, because he has heard 

my voice and my pleas for mercy. 

 2  Because he inclined his ear to me, 

therefore I will call on him as long as I live. 

 3  The snares of death encompassed me; 

the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; 

I suffered distress and anguish. 

 4  Then I called on the name of the Lord: 

“O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!” 

 5  Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; 

our God is merciful. 

 6  The Lord preserves the simple; 

when I was brought low, he saved me. 

 7  Return, O my soul, to your rest; 

for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. 

 8  For you have delivered my soul from death, 

my eyes from tears, 

my feet from stumbling; 

 9  I will walk before the Lord 

in the land of the living. 

 10  I believed, even when I spoke: 

“I am greatly afflicted”; 

 11  I said in my alarm, 

“All mankind are liars.” 

 12  What shall I render to the Lord 

for all his benefits to me? 

 13  I will lift up the cup of salvation 

and call on the name of the Lord, 

 14  I will pay my vows to the Lord 

in the presence of all his people. 

 15  Precious in the sight of the Lord 

is the death of his saints. 

 16  O Lord, I am your servant; 

I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. 

You have loosed my bonds. 

 17  I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving 

and call on the name of the Lord. 

 18  I will pay my vows to the Lord 

in the presence of all his people, 

 19  in the courts of the house of the Lord, 

in your midst, O Jerusalem. 

  Praise the Lord! 

Has God ever rescued you?

If you trust and believe in Him, have given your life to honour and worship Him, He has, and probably more than once. He first rescued you when He saved your life through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus by rescuing you from sin. I am sure there are other situations when God has intervened, that you can look back on like this psalmist, and recognise that God ‘has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy’. 

It is important to acknowledge, accept and bring honour to God for the work He has done in your life. For the way He has broken through, for how He has sustained and rescued you, provided for you, delivered you from harm, transformed situations, and turned enemies away from you. Do not take His love and power for granted, but give God the praise and gratitude He deserves and has earned. Are you good at that? Thanking and praising God for what He has brought you through and saved you from? Or do you struggle to see His work and find yourself complaining to Him about the next thing? 

Be like the one leper out of the ten that was healed by Jesus and turned back to show gratitude. For, ‘he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks’ (Luke 17:15-16). Be like that. Nine out of the ten people in that situation took their healing and left. Only one said thank you and acknowledged that God had done a great work in them, and thought to praise God for transforming his life. Be like that one, and this psalmist. It is easy to take God’s work and intervention for granted, to get on with life healed, situations resolved and provision given. Do not forget how those things changed. Honour God and reflect on this, ‘what shall i render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?’ For all that God has done in your life, He deserves your worship, your gratitude. When you do something well, or help someone out, you expect a thank you. God has not only helped you out, but He has saved your life and rescued you from hell as well as the everyday matters He intervenes in. How much more should you be chasing after Him like that one leper to show your gratitude! He ran to Jesus, was loud in his praise and fell at Jesus feet in honour. Is this how you respond when you see God has worked in your life?  

You too can say to God, ‘you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling’. Think about it, God has delivered you from eternal death to eternal life, He has saved you from some heartbreak and there are times when He has intervened when you could have got hurt or gone wrong. Acknowledge those times and give glory to God for His work, do not keep your testimony and praise private - the leper ran and was loud! He didn’t care who saw or heard him, he just needed to show how grateful he was, and he was honoured by Jesus for it. Let your praise and gratitude be loud because you are not trying to bring attention to yourself but to the God who has done so much for you. He has transformed your life, given you hope, so show your gratitude.

Through demonstrating your praise and thankfulness, who knows who you could encourage or inspire. Your stories of hope, breakthrough, healing or provision can influence others simply by expressing joy about God’s power in your life. God has given you salvation, He has delivered you, poured out blessings upon you, loosed your bonds, given you salvation, healed you, protected you, exalted you, forgiven you and saved your life! Therefore thank Him. Honour Him and give to Him. Then tell others about how great He is. He deserves your thanksgiving. 

Are you like the one leper who went out of his way to turn back and show gratitude, or are you like the 9 who accepted God's blessing and just got on with life? Be like the one to whom Jesus says, “Rise and go your way, your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19).

Praise the Lord!

 Psalm 113:1–9 (ESV): 

113 Praise the Lord! 

Praise, O servants of the Lord, 

praise the name of the Lord! 

 2  Blessed be the name of the Lord 

from this time forth and forevermore! 

 3  From the rising of the sun to its setting, 

the name of the Lord is to be praised! 

 4  The Lord is high above all nations, 

and his glory above the heavens! 

 5  Who is like the Lord our God, 

who is seated on high, 

 6  who looks far down 

on the heavens and the earth? 

 7  He raises the poor from the dust 

and lifts the needy from the ash heap, 

 8  to make them sit with princes, 

with the princes of his people. 

 9  He gives the barren woman a home, 

making her the joyous mother of children. 

Praise the Lord! 

When should you worship?

It can be easy to think that worship is for a gathering of believers, and it is often associated with singing, but here we are told, ‘From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!’ God certainly deserves to be worshipped all day long, so what is this form of praise that we can continue all day, for surely no-one can be expected to sing to God all day?! 

To praise something means to express approval or admiration for. So praise can take many forms. It can be in the way you; talk about others/God, express gratitude, read the Bible, dance, play music, listen to teaching, think about God, pray, behave, and the way you carry out tasks. As you can see there are many ways that you can praise God. It involves what your mind is doing, and what your motivation is for what you are doing. You can wash dishes and be admiring God, or take out the rubbish and be considering God’s words. You can even be doing something that you don’t like doing, but you know that it will bless others, so you do it as a sacrifice of praise because that is your motivation. This is how it is possible to praise God throughout the day. You can display your admiration and approval of God in your workplace, community, area of study, at home, around family, friends and strangers, from the moment you wake up til you go to sleep. For true praise means that you carry the concern of honouring God in your life in every area of it. So, during your daily life, are you praising God? It is normal to think of other things too, not every thought will be directed to Him, the dishes do need washing and the rubbish needs dealing with, work needs to be done and people cared for. Yet you can carry out these activities with an attitude of praise to Almighty God. For this psalm doesn't just invite or encourage God's praise, but it commands it. For someone who follows God, worshipping Him is not optional, this psalm tells you to; Praise the fact He is Lord, praise His name, praise His glory, praise Him because He is above all things, praise Him as He transforms lives of poverty and barrenness to honour and fruitfulness. However you do it, praise Him. God deserves it. Even if you consider one aspect of God, one verse, or one thing He has done, it will lift your spirit and you will be directing praise to where it is due, to The Lord. How about considering that, ‘The Lord is high above all nations’ or, ‘who is like the Lord our God’ throughout your day? I wonder what will be revealed to you in the process and how grateful and in wonder you will be of Him. 

When you set your mind to admire God in your day, you are joining with people all over the Earth in praising Him, as well as the hosts of heaven to consider the greatness of God! You are not alone in your praise. God is getting approval and admiration from across the World and beyond. There are many who are lifting Him up, extolling Him and honouring Him, remembering Him and enjoying thinking about Him. From princes to the poor, the childless to parents - they all praise the Lord and have reason to be joyful because of Him. Are you joining with them in praising God, 'from the rising of the sun to its setting'?

How far does your thanksgiving go?

 Psalm 79:1–13 (ESV):  

1  O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; 

they have defiled your holy temple; 

they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. 

 2  They have given the bodies of your servants 

to the birds of the heavens for food, 

the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth. 

 3  They have poured out their blood like water 

all around Jerusalem, 

and there was no one to bury them. 

 4  We have become a taunt to our neighbours, 

mocked and derided by those around us. 

 5  How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? 

Will your jealousy burn like fire? 

 6  Pour out your anger on the nations 

that do not know you, 

 and on the kingdoms 

that do not call upon your name! 

 7  For they have devoured Jacob 

and laid waste his habitation. 

 8  Do not remember against us our former iniquities; 

let your compassion come speedily to meet us, 

for we are brought very low. 

 9  Help us, O God of our salvation, 

for the glory of your name; 

deliver us, and atone for our sins, 

for your name’s sake! 

 10  Why should the nations say, 

“Where is their God?” 

  Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants 

be known among the nations before our eyes! 

 11  Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; 

according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die! 

 12  Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbours 

the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord! 

 13  But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, 

will give thanks to you forever; 

from generation to generation we will recount your praise. 

Can you imagine such devastation? Those who have lived through wars may be able to empathise and understand something of what Asaph saw and experienced. Utter devastation, disgust and despair. Seeing not only your country overrun, but the holy place of God’s dwelling destroyed and the people desperate and dying through violence and neglect, their bodies even eaten by creatures. The sights, the smells surrounding those that remained alive. Living day by day in terror. It is difficult and horrific to imagine. The country of Israel was invaded and defeated, ruined and derided by ‘the nations’. Every person in the country suffered - the faithful and unfaithful, young and old, man and woman went through this trauma. Not only physical suffering but the emotional abuse of being derided and mocked is added to the Israelite’s plight.

Can you imagine suffering in such a way? Let alone suffering in such a way and still giving thanks to, honouring, loving and following God throughout? Asaph does. He describes the situation, and cries out to God for relief, release and restoration of God’s people. Then he exclaims, ‘But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever’. Wow! Amidst the taunts, grief and hardship Asaph and the people with him are still grateful. Are you?

Asaph grasped something of the greatness, mightiness, constancy and majesty of God. He knows God is good and glorious, so much so that he continues to see it even in the midst of desecration, desolation and destruction. Just because the situation is awful, it doesn’t change the nature of God. Asaph understood that God is forever good, and He always loves His people. Therefore Asaph set his mind to seek and worship Him. Asaph acknowledged that God is compassionate and powerful. He is salvation, and remains the Shepherd of Israel no matter where they are, what they have done or are going through. Even though the situation of the nation was shocking, Asaph and the Israelites acknowledged God’s goodness and expressed gratitude to Him. 

God is always worthy of praise. He remains glorious, good and great, loving and protective, strong and compassionate no matter what is happening. In a changing and demoralising world, God is faithful and constant in His love and compassion. Therefore He is worthy of praise no matter what. If the Israelites can 'recount your (God's) praise' forever during the invasion of their territory and the degradation of their people, How much more do you have to be grateful for? 

How far does your thanksgiving go? Will you 'give thanks to you  (God) forever' no matter what you face?

God is near

 Psalm 75:1–10 (ESV):  

1  We give thanks to you, O God; 

we give thanks, for your name is near. 

We recount your wondrous deeds. 

2  “At the set time that I appoint 

I will judge with equity. 

3  When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, 

it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah 

4  I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ 

and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn; 

5  do not lift up your horn on high, 

or speak with haughty neck.’ ” 

6  For not from the east or from the west 

and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, 

7  but it is God who executes judgment, 

putting down one and lifting up another. 

8  For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup 

with foaming wine, well mixed, 

and he pours out from it, 

and all the wicked of the earth 

shall drain it down to the dregs. 

9  But I will declare it forever; 

I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 

10  All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, 

but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up. 

What a great way to open a psalm, or even your prayers - to acknowledge and appreciate that God is near. You can utter His name and know His presence. What an incredible reassurance it is to recognise and appreciate God’s proximity. God is near. He is close to you right now, how wonderful! As you realise God’s closeness, can you like Asaph begin to recount God's 'wondrous deeds’? God has done some fantastic things, do you ever stop to consider them and appreciate Him for them? Recounting God’s fantastic works should be easy as there are so many but are you good at crediting God for the great and marvellous things He has done? Asaph says, ‘we recount your wondrous deeds’, there is a communal aspect to sharing what God has done (we). No matter how big or small the issue, do you share your stories of God’s magnificence in your life? Can you imagine the testimony that would be, not only to the church, but the community if we all did that? Surely you have a wonderful story of wonder to that tells about God's goodness - have you shared it with anyone recently?

God is worthy of gratitude no matter what. He has still done incredible things even when life is tough and, ‘the earth totters and all its inhabitants’. God is still just as close and magnificent in those times. Plus He is more solid, secure and trustworthy than those around you and even the solid ground that you stand on! For, ‘when the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars’. God is the strength and power that keeps things going and holds it all together. The Earth and your life will have times when it looks like they are shaky and falling apart, yet you can be assured that God is in control and will hold it all together. When the Earth shudders and disasters happen you can feel shaken, however you can also be sure that God is holding steady.

So, consider; what are you relying on in your life? What do you trust in and lean on to give you strength? It is only God that remains strong and secure throughout all circumstances and generations. He is the One who has already endured all things, do not build your life on or rely on anything lesser than Him. Those who live dishonouring God or in ignorance of His presence are living without His power, love, majesty and strength, are you?

Those who choose to live without God do not have Him holding things steady and do not get to enjoy His wondrous deeds or His glorious presence. Instead they are consumed with themselves and become arrogant, filled up with pride, boastful and drunk (v4-8). Living without God means living without stability, love and peace. So people try to live for something else and make themselves seem important. They try to outdo one another and be better because they are trying to impress themselves and other people. At times it works and they seem to be ‘lifted up’ having gained respect, honour and praise from people. Yet their favour can quickly change and those admired one moment can be despised the next. A life like that does not know stability, unconditional love or peace. Whose approval are you living for? Are you living to impress those around you, vying for acceptance, or are you living a life honouring God and concerned about what He thinks of you?

Not only will the ‘wicked’ who live without God become proud, boastful, resentful and intoxicated, but the promise in this psalm is that they will also be ‘cut off’. This is not without God trying to help them and intervene, verses 4-5 show that God calls to those disregarding Him and acting wickedly - He invites them to live different, but they refuse. One day it will be too late for them to do any different as God ‘executes judgement’. He promises that, ‘the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.’ All people will be judged, the wicked and the righteous (those that live following God). One set will be ‘lifted up’, the others ‘cut down’. Which fate will you receive? For God is close and He is worthy of great gratitude and love, are you living your life acknowledging and appreciating His presence in the World and your life?

Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things....

Psalm 107

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! 

*2* Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble 

*3* and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. 

*4* Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; 

*5* hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. 

*6* Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 

*7* He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. 

*8* Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 

*9* For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. 

*10* Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, 

*11* for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. 

*12* So he bowed their hearts down with hard labour; they fell down, with none to help. 

*13* Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 

*14* He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. 

*15* Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 

*16* For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron. 

*17* Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; 

*18* they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. 

*19* Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 

*20* He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. 

*21* Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 

*22* And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy! 

*23* Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; 

*24* they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. 

*25* For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. 

*26* They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; 

*27* they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. 

*28* Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 

*29* He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 

*30* Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 

*31* Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 

*32* Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. 

*33* He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, 

*34* a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. 

*35* He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. 

*36* And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; 

*37* they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. 

*38* By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. 

*39* When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, 

*40* he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; 

*41* but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. 

*42* The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. 

*43* Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord. 

This psalm covers many analogies for the different ways in which we can experience life. There are snippets of stories encompassing; confusion, wandering, poverty, restriction, rebellion, dismissing God’s way, imprisonment, seeking riches and climbing the career ladder. I am sure each of us can relate to at least one of these situations. They all indicate times we can find ourselves in through life, often when we are not fully following God or times then we are caught up in the trials and sufferings of life. Yet in ALL of these situations, there is an opportunity to cry out to God;

‘Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.’

No situation is too difficult for God to rescue you from. You have never gone too far, gone too wrong, or got too bad for God to intervene. He is just waiting for an invitation to do so. Every time in the variety of situations listed, the people get overwhelmed, fed up and desperate. Ever felt like that? When the people of this psalm realised they were so troubled and distressed that they could do nothing about it, they cried out to God. They were desperate, scared and incapable of changing their circumstances, so they realised they needed supernatural help.

God is greater than any situation you are in. If you do call upon Him, He will answer. Like He does for the people here. He can meet you in the storm and sustain you in the desert, He can pierce the darkness and obliterate sin. If you are fed up with life the way it is right now, why not try crying out to God? He can deliver you from your distress - He can show you the straight path out of the mess, He can calm the storm,  bring healing and rescue. He can release those who feel imprisoned, He can provide nourishment, bring peace and strength. God can make a difference to whatever situation you find yourself in. So, why not ask Him to? 

Then you can take comfort that in each circumstance listed in this scripture, God answers. He provides, guides, heals, rescues and releases those who have ‘cried to the Lord in their trouble’. You may not realise it yet, but God is working out His plan for you and is coming to deliver you from your distress. It is comforting to know that in the many trials of life, that we can call on God. It doesn’t matter if you never have, or if you always have, God still listens and acts. He doesn’t just lend a sympathetic ear, but He provides a rescue plan, a solution to whatever the circumstance is. He is just waiting for you to call on Him to come. 

As well as the repetition of verse 6, after every event, once the people turn to God, this verse is also repeated, ‘Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!’

The work and intervention of God deserves recognition. When God answers the call of distress, don’t forget to acknowledge it and be grateful to Him. For He has performed ‘wondrous works’ in your life, and He will continue to do so when you invite Him in. Being grateful for God’s great, steadfast, enduring love is something we can all do, but do you? Do you call to remembrance the times when God has transformed your life, situations, health, career, your troubled mind? 

Verses 22 onwards demonstrate some ways in which we can glorify God, and we can use these examples to thank God for what He has done in our lives. Don’t forget to thank God for these things. We have a lot to thank God for, but we do not always remember to do it. I think that is why the psalmist repeats this verse. 

I know God has healed me, He has brought peace to my heart and mind, He has provided for me a family, a home, finances when we have had lack, He has given me a husband and children though the path was not easy, He has broken through situations, provided jobs, restored the lives of those around us,  led me, disciplined me, He has given me hope, prepared me, comforted me, given me strength, energy, He has spoken to me, listened to me and kept me going. 

What has He done for you? 

Surely, He deserves our gratitude and our trust the next time a tough situation comes by….

‘Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.'

Count your blessings

Haman recounted to them the splendour of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honoured him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. 12 Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” 
Esther 5:11–13.

Oh Haman!

Haman has just had the unrivalled honour of dining with the king and queen of the known world, and he still gets grumpy!
Do you know anyone like that? Someone who has it all, but is still discontented?

Haman has mounds of riches, honour, prestige, a growing family, a job he loves, lots to boast about, yet he can still find something to moan about! Why is he dissatisfied? It seems everything is going his way - he has prestige, power and possessions, he has most things that people would dream of, yet he focuses on the one little thing that outweighs his contentment. Then that one little niggle is so magnified in his view that it destroys his enjoyment of what is pleasing. It tarnishes his perception of his perfect life.
The little niggle that blemishes Haman’s life is the lowly man that is Mordecai. Of all the aspects of life Haman could be consumed by; power, wealth, prestige, gaiety, responsibility, Haman instead focuses on the one thing that bothers him so he fails to fully enjoy or appreciate the great things of life, why? because of a man. Because of Mordecai. It doesn't really make sense does it? Why would a powerful and influential man be upstaged, angered and jealous of the seemingly poor, unimportant, Mordecai

What is it about Mordecai that bothers Haman so much? Mordecai, materially has so very little, he has little family, little power, renknown or responsibility so what is it about Mordecai that Haman hates so much?

Could it be that every time Haman comes across Mordecai, Haman realises that actually his life isn’t fulfilling, that in fact he recognises that there is something missing? Could it be that Mordecai in his seemingly uninfluenttial, insignificant position shows greater joy and contentment in his life than Haman with all his wealth, power and possessions can attain?

I think that might be it. That for Haman, Mordecai is a constant reminder that his life isn’t as perfect and fulfilling as it would appear. That all of his achievements, prowess and power, actually doesn’t increase happiness. Haman is unfulfilled, empty. Yet he sees Mordecai, who is content with the little he has and with who he is. So, whenever Haman encounters him, he sees something lacking within himself. Haman has to acknowledge the lack of contentment everytime he sees his face. Mordecai is a constant reminder of the unattainable joy and peace. Haman has moments of joy, but not the long-lasting, unshakeable type that Mordecai has.

The one thing Mordecai has is greater than the many things Haman owns, and Haman knows it.

No matter how much Haman tries, whatever promotion he gains, honour he receives, he cannot reach the internal satisfaction that Mordecai has. Haman works and works yet still it is not enough to satisfy. He is invited to feasts, triumphant in wars, yet despite the accolade, pomp and ceremony, he knows something is missing. Then, Haman happens upon righteous Mordecai, sitting contentedly at the gate and he is tormented. Seeing this man of little accord satisfied with what he has, with the work he does, even with his limited status breeds contempt. It is a lot easier to despise the one who reminds you of what you're missing rather than consider your own responsibility for inner contentment.

Mordecai is a constant reminder that Haman will never be or have enough. Mordecai has the one thing that matters and whenever he comes across him, Haman sees his inner self more clearly and he doesn’t like it. Mordecai mirrors what he’s missing - inner confidence and satisfaction.
This seems so unachievable for Haman that the feeling of resentment, anger and revenge grows the more he sees Mordecai. As he faces this contented man, he is forced to acknowledge to himself that all of the pomp and ceremony does not actually provide the internal satisfaction that he craves. The pile of possessions, the life and love of family, the responsibility of position matters nothing and never will if you don't first attain satisfaction within. Without that, life will always be lacking, as Haman found, and there will always be something that's a problem which outweighs the great things of life.

Haman, as we have read, is consumed with Mordecai being the problem. He projects his discontent onto him when, in fact, the problem lies within himself. It is far easier to blame our condition, situation and disappointments upon others. Others may well of had an influence in our circumstances, but we are actually responsible for the condition and response of our heart. No-one else can change that. Haman allowed himself to become consumed with anger and resentment because Mordecai represented all that he lacked. Whereas, if Haman had considered his own heart and what he was missing, using Mordecai as a role model, then there could of been contentment for him too.

Considering all this raises a few questions for our own lives;
Do you focus on the problems and annoyances rather than the achievements, success and positive things all around you?
Are you concerned with how much others have compared to you?
Are you one who displays peace and contentment in all circumstances?
Have you ever thought that others may be looking at you and seeing the peace and contentment you enjoy and they are jealous for it?

What does your life display? Do you live in lack or acknowledge your wealth?

Do not underestimate the great value you have and..
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.’