Psalms 107: 1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.
4 They wandered in the wilderness…they found no city to dwell in. 5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. 6 Then they cried unto the Lord and he delivered them out of their distresses.
8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For he satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness.
14 He brought them out of the darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder….20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters 24 These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep… 29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.;”’
Have you ever been in a group of people when everyone was talking and laughing and you mentioned God…did the whole room get quiet? Did everybody stare at you in uncomfortable silence until someone made a joke and the conversation started up again? I think this has happened to a lot of us and it caused us to hesitate the next time about mentioning the Lord’s name or saying something that was on our heart. “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness.”
We let the world get in the way of our mission sometimes…which is to go into all the world and tell the good news of Jesus. I used to be weary of mentioning Jesus in front of certain people. Why bring Him into a situation where He will be criticized or made fun of? Finally, I realized, It’s not me these people are rejecting, it’s God…and He is a Big God…One who is used to being rejected many times before someone finally admits that He is who He said He is, and will do what He said He will do. We all rejected Him at one time, or failed to believe, until we asked Him to come into our heart and be our Lord.
People need to hear the gospel; that God sent His Son to die for our sin and to turn believers back to Him. Jesus died and saved our souls from hell, isn’t that enough to make us praise His name in front of anybody and everybody? Isn’t it worth a few moments of discomfort and a crude joke or two from those who doubt? If only one person pays attention, isn’t it worth it?
31 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness… 32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people…
43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things,