Read: Psalm 107:17-22
He sent out his word and healed them. (v. 20)
The “redeemed” of verse 2 are the “fools” of verse 17. Fools do not so much willfully rebel as they carelessly miss God’s way. I am quick to think such fools are those steeped in addictions like drugs, alcohol, or some other besetting behavior. But then I look in the mirror and like C. S. Lewis, I’m appalled by what I find: “a zoo of lusts, a bedlam of ambitions, a nursery of fears, a hareem of fondled hatreds” (Surprised by Joy).
An honest assessment of ourselves reveals a daily battle with all kinds of sin that threatens to undo us. The struggle is real. Paul expressed it in Romans 7:19, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” We all can relate to that.
We will daily deal with the foolishness of sin, but we do not have to loathe ourselves or others. When the fools cried out to God, “he sent out his word and healed them” (Ps. 107:20). God’s Word revives the soul, makes wise the simple, and is sweeter than honey (Ps. 19:7, 10). Moreover, the apostle John declared: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). That Word was a living person—Jesus! And Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to guide us into all the truth (John 16:13). Let us then, dear friends, replace sin’s loathing with daily drinking in of God’s Word. You’re doing it right now. Keep up the good habit. —Jon Opgenorth
As you pray, thank God for his healing Word.
About the Author
Rev. Jon Opgenorth serves as president of Words of Hope. Previously, he served for 18 years as senior pastor at Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa. In preparation for ministry, he received a BA in Religion from Northwestern College, and an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary.
