Focus: Why Not Praise God? (Pt.4)

Text: Ps.107:31

"Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!"

We have considered the first, second and third groups of people - the clueless travelers, the helpless prisoners, and the hopeless sick ones. Now our focus is on the final group - the powerless voyagers.

The psalmist says concerning them, "Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters, They see the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep. For He commands and raises the stormy wind, Which lifts up the waves of the sea. They mount up to the heavens, They go down again to the depths; Their soul melts because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits' end."

In the voyage of life, we often find ourselves in the middle of nowhere or right in the middle of the storm. You know, life can be so unpredictable and life has a way of bringing its raging storms into our souls, and our hearts begin to melt with fear. We feel so powerless to control anything and so paralyzed that we surrender ourselves to fate. We come to our wit's end. We run out of ideas. Our wisdom fails and we become totally powerless, clueless and blank.

Circumstances beyond our control can throw us into the panic mode, and as soon as we lose our senses we become emotionally overwhelmed.

It was at the moment when they were at their wit's end that the psalmist declared, "Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven." Our God not only calms our storms, but He also guides us to safety. Powerless voyagers survive the storms of life by the mercy of God. 

I declare to you that you will make it out alive. The strong winds and mighty waves of life cannot carry you away. The hand of God is upon you. There is someone living inside of you, who is superior to storms and Satanic attacks. No weapon formed or fashioned against you shall prosper! You are destined to overcome and bound to conquer. 

Call upon the Lord in your hour of need! Solicit for His help and celebrate His goodness and faithfulness!

I pray you heed the voice of the psalmist. He exclaims, "Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!" Again he says, "Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, And praise Him in the company of the elders." Rejoice in the Lord your God! He is ever with you to ensure that you sail through and never sink. He deserves your praise and thanksgiving. He neither gets tired of helping you, nor gets fed up in answering your prayers. Bow before Him and bless His name forever! Amen!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter