Cry, Heal, Thank: A Divine Response to Human Desperation

[Scripture Reading] Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

Psalm 107:1–3 ESV

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble 3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

Psalm 107:17–22 ESV

17 Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; 18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. 19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. 21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

[Prayer for illumination] Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Sometimes we get bitten because it’s our fault.

Personal story: Biking to my late uncle’s house and searched for garter snakes. The animal captures ended as soon as one latched onto my arm and drew blood. Never again! I wasn’t looking for trouble.

We never go out purposely trying to put ourselves in a bad situation. Why does it seem that trouble seems to find us (kidney stone, eviction, job dismissal)? And yet, sometimes we get bitten because it’s our fault.

The Psalmist recounts this truth in Numbers chapter twenty-one, the Israelites loathe against the provisions of the LORD. They craved for more than quail and manna in the desert and because their voices railed against the ears of the LORD. God sent fiery serpents to bite them and some of them died.

They were bitten because of their foolishness and complaint against the Lord, and yet they were smart enough to cry out to the one who could save them.

The Lord is willing to heal those on the verge of death.

As their fellow relatives perished, the people approached Moses to petition the LORD to save them. Moses prays to the LORD, and is instructed to make a bronze fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live (Num 21:8). The people cried for deliverance and the Lord healed them.

The Lord is willing to heal anyone on the verge of death. Do you remember when you were near death? God was willing to save you physically and spiritually.

It’s because God is merciful (Ephesians 2:1-10) and his steadfast love endures forever! God is rich in mercy and heals us. Not through a serpent on stick, but through Jesus on the cross. We are healed by grace through faith!

In John’s gospel reading (John 3:14-21), we are taken back to the past of when Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness. He provides fuller meaning to the salvation found on a pole and reinterpretations in light of Jesus’ cross. Through seeing Jesus on the cross, we are saved and healed us from our sin. The rest of the gospel speaks about the purpose of God’s love and how by it we are delivered from judgement and wickedness. The primary motivation for salvation is the love of God. This is why we can give thanks.

The redeemed are known by their thankfulness.

Do you remember how God has heard your cry of desperation and brought you to experiencing the grace of God?

What is the purpose of been a redeemed people? It’s for being known as Christians who live with genuine thanksgiving because of the Lord’s grace.

As the Psalmist begins and ends - give thanks to the LORD for his steadfast love endures forever. He has heard our cry, healed us through Jesus Christ, and now has given us a song to sing.

Give thanks for the Lord’s steadfast love.

Bring your sacrifices of thanksgiving to the Lord.

Be a Christian who is known for your thankfulness of your everlasting life with Jesus.

Sing his praises wherever you go because he has heard your cry, healed your soul, and given you an everlasting reason to give thanks to him.