...God's Love and Mankind's Gratitude to Him...

I was reading an article online and which made reference to Psalm 107. The chapter, to me, talks about one main thing and that is God's love for us. The chapter cites 3 scenarios of people who have wandered their way and in their quest to live 'on their own' were met with nothing but distress and suffering. Think about this for a second, if we were in God's place would we take back or help someone who has deliberately gone his own way? Yup! I guessed not too. But God is not man, His ways we just cannot comprehend no matter how hard we try to. The people in the passage, on realizing they could not do it on their own called upon the Lord and He responded. He led them out of the wilderness to a city to settle, from prison to freedom, from death to life, from raging waters to calmed seas. And through all things we should be grateful for all He has done. We should not stop showing our gratitude for his unfailing love for without His love for us we would be lost and out of place. Psalm 107 v.23-32 reads 

23 Some went out on the sea in ships; 
   they were merchants on the mighty waters. 
24 They saw the works of the LORD, 
   his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest 

   that lifted high the waves.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; 
in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
they were at their wits' end. 
28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, 

   and he brought them out of their distress. 

29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; 

   the waves of the sea[b] were hushed. 

30 They were glad when it grew calm, 

   and he guided them to their desired haven. 

31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love 

   and his wonderful deeds for mankind. 

32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people 

   and praise him in the council of the elders. (NIV)

I like to relate the  rough waves to life's hardships. We set out not knowing whats ahead of us and when times get rough and God sets circumstances that we cannot control our way, we are humbled and are able to truly reach out to Him and out if His love for us He answers and changes our situations. (v.28-29). The only way we can repay Him is to give thanks and not just 'any' thanks but genuine, heartfelt thanks. Take time today to show gratitude to God for the many things He has seen you through no matter how small or overwhelming it may have been. His love endures forever.