What emotions do you experience after enduring a difficult and potentially life-threatening situation? After the initial shock wears off, we may feel a sense of relief and gratitude toward God’s gracious deliverance. Psalm 107 reveals the thankfulness of those who have experienced various trials and tribulations.

The Psalmist described several challenging situations that may be common to life. For example, travel at that time was difficult and often fraught with danger. As the people experienced hunger, thirst, and uncertainty; we see that when they cried out to God and He delivered them from their distresses:

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them from their distresses. (Psalm 107:6)

The word trouble mean to be narrow or confining and figuratively it implies distress and tribulation. What is your initial response to trouble? Is prayer your first response or your last resort? We see a common refrain in this Psalm. Each time a difficulty is described, the people cry out to the Lord and He delivered them from trouble.

The Psalmist also described those who were imprisoned and under the shadow of death. Perhaps they had even rebelled against God. Yet, when they turned back to God, He listened to their prayer:

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them from their distresses. (Psalm 107:13)

The Psalmist then described people who lived foolishly and were now suffering the consequences of their poor decisions. They too were not beyond the reach of God’s healing touch:

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them from their distresses. (Psalm 107:19)

God’s creation is beautiful, but it is also incredibly powerful. Jesus had some of His most impactful lessons to His disciples at sea. The Psalmist described the power of His creation as a teacher:

Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters; they have seen the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. (Psalm 107:23-24)

I have personally witnessed the mighty power of the sea. When I was in navy on a small frigate in the North Atlantic we encountered a gale and the waves were coming over the bridge and damaged our main mast. We suspended meals and sleep was a challenge as we worked to keep our bow pointed into the waves to keep from getting capsized. I was not the only one who was looking to the Lord:

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them from their distresses. (Psalm 107:28)

It is a great comfort to see that God responds to the prayers of His believing people. Are you looking to the Lord for your deliverance or could it be that the situation is desperate, but the saints are not? Charles Spurgeon wisely observed, “Those who notice providences shall never be long without a providence to notice.”