Seems like one of the most universal constants in this world is not only trouble, but also the need to tell others of our troubles. We do not just lose our job, but we also share that hardship with others. We not only become terminally ill, but we also share that burden with others. We suffer, hurt, experience loss, and we tell our friends, family, co-workers, and Facebook. Just like Psalm 107.
1O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.
2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, those he redeemed from trouble
3and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
23Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the mighty waters;
24they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.
25For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their calamity;
27they reeled and staggered like drunkards, and were at their wits’ end.
28Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress;
29he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30Then they were glad because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.
31Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.32Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
In this Psalm, the psalmist tells his story from his life on the high-seas, where he survived fierce storms, drowning, confusion, and all other kinds of trouble. But what makes the psalmist’s story different than most is the inclusion of God’s part in the story; not only did the psalmist have a hard time on the seas, but he also survived because of the saving hand of God. It would have been much easier for the psalmist to get on Facebook and make a status about how awful his fishing trip was. However, the psalmist chose to explain his troubles to the world so that he could also tell the world how faithful, loving, and amazing his God is.
Imagine a world where your Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snap Chats, newspapers, radio and TV were not only filled with terrible news, hardships, and complaints, but they were also filled with hope of a God who endures, is full of steadfast love, and saves people from their hardships and suffering. Not only would Facebook be more tolerable, but perhaps people who had no hope in such a God could find hope. Perhaps those who thought their future would only ever be awful could begin to imagine a life with less pain. Perhaps the love of God would spread.
So the next time that you are thinking about ranting, complaining, telling a story of past or present trouble, think about how you might be more like the psalmist and add some hope in the God who intervenes in times of trouble. Don’t stop short by only speaking more bad news into the world, but press on to a word of trust in our God, so that others may, “thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.”