Proper 7
Preaching
Aids To The Psalms
Exploring The Message
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
those he redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
Psalm 107:23-32
Some went down to the sea in ships,
doing business on the mighty waters;
they saw the deeds of the Lord,
his wondrous works in the deep.
For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea.
They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their calamity;
they reeled and staggered like drunkards,
and were at their wits' end.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he brought them out from their distress;
he made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad because they had quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
Alternate Image
The Singer is lost. He has taken a boat to sea at night. He
was sure he knew the way back to safe harbor but apparently made
a wrong turn and now is hopelessly lost. His compass does not
work, he has limited fuel, and he is unused to the lake he is
trying to negotiate. He makes a few turns trying to find land and
becomes totally disoriented. No one expects him. He has no idea
where he is. He is frustrated, embarrassed and more than a little
frightened. As he continues to putt around in the water he
becomes more discouraged and more frightened. The weather has
turned cold and he only has on light clothing. The fuel gauge
continues to drop as he steers aimlessly about in the dark night.
It is absolutely hopeless; he prays. He asks God to show him a
way to safety, to rescue him from his own stupidity, to save him.
As he opens his eyes the Singer spies a light on the shore. He
steers toward it, perhaps there is a phone near the light where
he can call for help. As he nears the shore he spies another
light illuminating his safe moorage. Heaving a prayer of thanks,
the Singer pilots his boat to safe harbor as the motor dies.
Reflection
What good can come of frightening, scary events in our lives?
How does it help us to become panicky and helpless? What good can
come of potentially destructive events? Are all things good? From
our human perspective, it is impossible to see the good in
everything. However, God can see good in all things. God sees
opportunities for contact with the objects of his love when they
are frightened and turn to him for help. God can and does use all
things for good. That does not make all things seem good to us,
but we do know that God is good and can use them for his divine
plan even if we don't understand it.
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
those he redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
Psalm 107:23-32
Some went down to the sea in ships,
doing business on the mighty waters;
they saw the deeds of the Lord,
his wondrous works in the deep.
For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea.
They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their calamity;
they reeled and staggered like drunkards,
and were at their wits' end.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he brought them out from their distress;
he made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad because they had quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
Alternate Image
The Singer is lost. He has taken a boat to sea at night. He
was sure he knew the way back to safe harbor but apparently made
a wrong turn and now is hopelessly lost. His compass does not
work, he has limited fuel, and he is unused to the lake he is
trying to negotiate. He makes a few turns trying to find land and
becomes totally disoriented. No one expects him. He has no idea
where he is. He is frustrated, embarrassed and more than a little
frightened. As he continues to putt around in the water he
becomes more discouraged and more frightened. The weather has
turned cold and he only has on light clothing. The fuel gauge
continues to drop as he steers aimlessly about in the dark night.
It is absolutely hopeless; he prays. He asks God to show him a
way to safety, to rescue him from his own stupidity, to save him.
As he opens his eyes the Singer spies a light on the shore. He
steers toward it, perhaps there is a phone near the light where
he can call for help. As he nears the shore he spies another
light illuminating his safe moorage. Heaving a prayer of thanks,
the Singer pilots his boat to safe harbor as the motor dies.
Reflection
What good can come of frightening, scary events in our lives?
How does it help us to become panicky and helpless? What good can
come of potentially destructive events? Are all things good? From
our human perspective, it is impossible to see the good in
everything. However, God can see good in all things. God sees
opportunities for contact with the objects of his love when they
are frightened and turn to him for help. God can and does use all
things for good. That does not make all things seem good to us,
but we do know that God is good and can use them for his divine
plan even if we don't understand it.
