(Psalm 107) 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. ⁴ Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. ⁵ They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. ⁶ Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
⁷ He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. ⁸ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
⁹ for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Since the fall of man, all of humanity has been living in troubled times: Wars, pandemics, deceases of all kinds (Physical and mental), corruption, natural disasters, and famine. The nations do not even know how to come out of these crises. Fortunately, our God does, He has promised us victory. John 16:33“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The global resolve to move away from conflict for a peaceful world, has consistently tilted to a more unsettled and increasingly less peaceful world with every passing year. A report by the institute for Economics and Peace states that only 11 countries in the world, as of 2015, were not involved in any form of conflict or unrest.

We must pray for the healing and restoration of the destinies of troubled nations.

Psalm 107 is a clear picture of God’s deliverance and victory for a troubled nation. A nation that was plagued with several issues and needs. What the Israelites faced at that time is no different from what nations are facing today.

Verses 4 and 27 – They were lost, without direction, not knowing what to do or where to go, or what could happen. Several nations are faced with similar situation today where bad leadership has left the whole country hopeless and uncertain. This is one of the drivers of immigration of multitudes from nations to nations. A lot of people are exposed to excruciating suffering and pain as a result. Families have been ripped apart, some are left without support, lonely and very vulnerable.

Verse 4…finding no way to a city where they could settle., The housing crises we are experiencing nowadays in our nation and in other nations around the world, comes to mind. Desperation and anxiety sets in when people have no shelter, a place to live.

Verse 5 …They were hungry and thirsty – These are the most basic daily needs of all human beings. Yet the UN report states that as many as 3.1 million children die yearly due to poor nutrition and hunger, which is nearly half of all deaths in children under age 5. The global stats is also very telling. 822 million people suffer from under nourishment. That is why we must be grateful for the vision of our foodbank ministry. So many families from the community are benefitting from that.

Verse 17 and 18 …Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. ¹⁸ They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death.

These verses describe symptoms of depression, and many people are troubled with that in the current days and need our prayers.  

But what is the solution for the troubled nations? Cry out to the Lord – Verses 6,13,19 and 28 – Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble…

How Did they Cry Out to God?

With persistence: Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) and the Canaanite Woman (Mt. 15.21-28), they did not stop until they received their blessings.

Have faith in God:  when they cried out to the Lord, they had faith that God would answer and God answer our prayers:

Jeremiah 33:3 – ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

Romans 8:31 – What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 

Prayer points:

Ezekiel 22:30 – “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.”

• Let’s stand in the gap for the troubled nations

Psalm 107:14 – He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.

• Let’s ask God to brake every chain that holds these troubled nations captive

2 Timothy 2:8-10 – Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹ for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

• Let’s intercede believing in the sovereignty of God, who uses suffering and persecution for his purposes to reach more people with his wonderful grace. Paul shares with Timothy that despite being in prison, the word of God is not in chains

Acts 4:29-30: “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

• Let’s pray and ask for God’s wisdom upon national and international leaders to solve the complex problems the world is facing today and to overcome the problems by the God mighty power and signs