“Lord, Be Glorified” (Kilpatrick – 1978). Psalm 31:1-3a

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Psalm 107. I revisited a passage I’ve preached on often, but it’s been a long time since I spent any time here. The entire Psalm is a testimony of the redeemed to God’s goodness and mercy (Psalm 107:1). It is organized with an introduction (Psalm 107:1-14) followed by three sections, each beginning with “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men” (Psalm 107:15, 21, 31).*

The Mind of the Spirit engaged the spirit of my mind in the second section:

Psalms 107:21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalms 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Psalms 107:23 ¶ They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

Psalms 107:24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.

Psalms 107:25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

Psalms 107:26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

Psalms 107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.

Psalms 107:28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

Psalms 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Psalms 107:30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

I’m contemplating a major evangelism campaign, and so the LORD reminded me of some important principles He taught me years ago from this passage. The principles are applicable to every venture or endeavor.

Along the still waters, I contemplated the path to success in any endeavor, and the means God uses to help us navigate our ship to our desired haven:

First, it’s those who do business in “great waters” that see the “works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep” (Psalm 107:26-24). The idea is commonly expressed as “go big, or go home.” Or, “Be all in, or sit out!” Or, “Aim high, not low, because if you aim low, you’ll hit it every time.” Personally, I like to think of it in terms of Jesus’ command: “Launch out into the Deep, and let down your nets for a draught” (Luke 5:4).

Second, God will deepen your humility and stretch you beyond yourself (Psalm 107:25-27). The course to victory will not be easy: you’ll be tested, brought to a place beyond your wits (cleverness, ingenuity), where you will be thoroughly humbled.

Third, at some point, you will recognize your desperate need for GOD’s intervention, and you’ll cry out to God as your only hope. That’s when He steps in and delivers you (Psalm 107:2829).

Fourth, God brings you to your desired haven, or destination (Psalm 107:30).

The language of verse 30 is “so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” The word “so” tells us that the way GOD brings us to our desired destination is outlined in the preceding passage.

It is important to understand that the troubles we encounter along the way are the very “means” by which GOD answers our original desire to reach a noble and honorable destination.

In the valley, I heard my Captain give the general orders for the day: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). There is no moving forward in any spiritual endeavor without first checking our ego at the door, recknoning ourselves dead to sin, but alive to GOD, doing this before anything else: presenting this body to Him a living sacrifice (Romans 6:10-11; Galatians 2:20-21), taking up our cross, and following Him.

At the table, after some conversation with His word about some matters related to my own planned endeavor, He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. Goodness and mercy were called up, and we went together into the harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏

Going live asap:

https://rumble.com/v76vism-shepherds-pasture.html

[*It’s possible to organize the entire Psalm in three sections, each concluding with the refrain: “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men” (Psalm 107:1-15; 16-21’ 22-31, with an epilogue, 32-43. However, a careful examination of this structure exposes several problems, and making that work is very awkward. I think the best outline is as presented above.]