Several summers ago, my husband had just earned his teaching credential and applied for his first job as a math teacher. This was a midlife career change for him. Our daughters were all little, and the year-long credentialing process was a challenging one. We believed that God had called Mark to make this change, and we did it as a family.
Over the twelve months of his teacher education, our prayer was that Mark would be able to teach at one of the high school or middle schools in our local community. Imagine how excited we were when he was offered a job at the high school near us - our alma mater! He turned another job offer down and accepted this teaching position. A few days later, the principal called back and rescinded the offer. We were confused and so disappointed. I was also afraid; summer was almost over, and my husband needed work. We pleaded with God to help.
Mark continued to hunt for teaching positions and eventually applied to the middle school near us. Two weeks later, that principal hired him! It turns out that this is what God had in mind all along. Mark has taught there ever since.
I remember speaking to my pastor right after Mark got the middle school job. He encouraged me to remember this moment as a time that God took care of us. He said that this would be something that strengthened our trust in Him in the future when we looked back on how God had provided. Such wise advice!
My pastor’s words came to mind this week as I read Psalm 107. These beautiful, poetic words challenge us to recall God’s goodness and faithful love in our lives. Within its verses are four illustrations of people in distress. Some are homeless, hungry, and lost (v. 4-5). Some are suffering from depression and in chains because they refused to listen to God (v. 10-12). Some are sick and dying as a result of their rebellion towards Him (v. 17-18). And some are about to drown at sea during a storm (v. 17-18). In each case, they cry, “Lord, help!” and he rescues them!
Four times in Psalm 107, we read of people struggling, crying out to God, and God actively answering them in their distress. Each time these rescued ones are exhorted to give “thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds” towards them (v. 8, 15,21, 31).
You see how this psalm fits our lives today, right? Life is crazy these days. There is so much uncertainty, struggle, strife, fear, and to use our psalm’s word – distress. Friends, let me challenge you to cry out to God! He is faithful to answer. Also, intentionally recall God’s faithfulness in your life – look back over the last day, week, or years for His “wonderful deeds” – and thank Him for it. Lastly, share these stories of God’s unfailing love with others. Can you imagine the difference it would make if we spoke out not just on current issues but mostly in telling of God’s goodness? People would see Jesus.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe. ”