SCRIPTURE: Psalm 107
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. [Psalm 107:2-3]
Good news is for sharing, and those who have been impacted by the good news of God’s love are urged to “tell their story”.
The Psalmist recounts the stories of people in different circumstances, and then urges them all to publicly broadcast their gratitude.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind… [Psalm 107:8]
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” [Acts 1:8]
The disciples are but the beginning of a large body of the redeemed, from east and west, from north and south, to the ends of the earth, called to witness to God’s grace.
What starts as a small group at the beginning of Acts becomes a large group “from every nation under heaven” [Acts 2:5], who then spread out and share the good news.
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. [Acts 8:4]
There are three essential elements to this calling to be Jesus’ witnesses:
(1) The experience of God’s grace,
(2) The power of the Holy Spirit,
(3) The obedience of the disciples.
God has lavished His grace on us; how have you experienced it?
How, in your own story, has God impacted your life?
What has Jesus done for you, how has your life changed because of Him?
As Jesus’ followers, we are called and equipped with the Spirit to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.
The only remaining element is our obedience.
Will we give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind… [Psalm 107:8]
PRAYER:
Lord, remind me again about all that You have done for me. Remind me also of my calling to be Your witness, and of Your Spirit Who will help me. Help me give thanks to You for Your unfailing love and Your wonderful deeds for mankind.
The Psalmist starts with
– Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story
and ends with
Let the one who is wise heed these things
and ponder the loving deeds of the LORD.
Great is Thy faithfulness! We see how You Lord have dealt with Your people in days past. You continue to deal with Your people today. You continue to deal with me day after day. Where have I seen Your hand upon my life? That story I too must share – God’s faithfulness to me and all what He has accomplished through me. Not only must my life be a living letter, but I too need to tell the story of all what the Lord God has done for me.
Thank You Lord for Your presence and encouragement and grace and power and vision along the way. Help me daily to stay on Your Way, doing Your Will in Your Power. Help me to be GodStrong always.
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
Refrain
I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.
Refrain
I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.
Refrain
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
Refrain