Sunday School

GOOD MORNING MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, 

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).

GIVE THANKS FOR DELIVERANCE

Bible Background * Psalm 107

Printed Text*Psalm 107:1-9, 39-43 I  Devotional Reading*Psalm 68:1-6 

Background 

In the Books of Psalm, 107-150 is in Book V. The Psalms were written over a period of 1000 years by many different authors including prophets (Moses), kings (David and Solomon), Levites (Asaph and the sons of Korah). Moses, after leading the Israelites out of Egypt wrote the first Psalm. The Psalms cover a wide range of subjects but, the most single element found in just about every Psalm is that of praise. Psalm 107 was written after the Israelites were permitted to return home and settle in their homelands of Canaan. They were free after enduring an arduous exile. When the Israelites realized they had been redeemed, they were very excited! Being free allowed them to worship God for his steadfast care toward them during their trials. The Psalms constituted the hymnal of Israel and also serve as the basis for many Christian hymns to the present day. 

Lesson Summary      

The Book of Psalm 107 opens today’s lesson. The call is for people to worship God is again, in the imperative. The people must give thanks to the Lord! This command to praise God is seen earlier in Israel’s history (2 Chron. 5:13); (Ezra 3:10-11). The phrase “his love endures forever”—is found numerous times in the Old Testament. God’s love is the reason to offer praise. Christians often think of redemption as primarily spiritual in nature, something especially accomplished by Jesus at Calvary, and it is (Eph.1:7). Israel came out of their dire situation because of God’s intersession. The Red Sea Crossing is one example and the story of Ruth is another. Long before Ruth, God’s laws gave her the opportunity to be redeemed by a relative of her dead husband. 

Exiles returning from captivity experienced God’s restoration on a grand scale. People who have been redeemed by the Lord need to tell their story. This Psalm praises God for his consistent provisional care of the Israelites during their exilic struggles. The Lord warned that his people would be exiled if they refused to obey him. He promised them if they returned to him he would gather them from all four directions and bring them home (vs 3). We can compare this scripture to future gatherings of all God’s redeemed people (Luke 13:29-30). 

God reversed Israel’s judgment after they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow. They cried out to the Lord. God didn’t deny them his presence and grace. The turning point for Israel wasn’t the Lord’s deliverance; it was their repentance. This is what God wants us to do today (2 Chron. 7:14). We can be delivered from our current calamity if we repent. Let us not forget. 

 Sis. Johnnie Smiley, General Supt. Rev. Ronald Webb, Pastor