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Psalm 107 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
But He lifts the needy out of their suffering and makes their families multiply like flocks. 42 The upright see it and rejoice, and all injustice shuts its mouth. 43 Let whoever is wise pay attention to these things and consider the LORD’s acts of faithful love.
Psalms 107:41-43 HCSB
When I read this psalm, I am reminded that God is with us at all times. He never leaves or forsakes His children. Over and over again, this psalm reminds us that God is near to those who cry out to Him regardless of if they can tangibly feel Him or not. It reminds me of a very popular OT story.
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced off with King Neb, they knew the consequences were severe. They not only faced death, but they faced being burned alive. It would have been convenient to back down and do what he asked. They chose to stand up for God. They stood up for truth. They believed in the faithful acts of God’s love. I’m sure in their hearts, they cried out desperately for Him to save them.
After their refusal to bow down to a false god, the red-faced King raged on them. He ordered the furnace to be heated 7 times hotter. He ordered them to be bound in ropes. He ordered the strongest of all his men to tie them up. Some of the guards who flung these three into the furnace died themselves because of how hot the fire burned. As King Neb looked in, he saw not three but four men walking around.
Many believe this was Jesus who stood with these men and protected them from the fiery furnace (“the form of the fourth is like the Son of God”). The interesting detail that most people miss is that their clothes and bodies did not burn, but the ropes that bound them did. We know this because they were seen “loose, walking in the midst of the fire.” A detail we don’t know is if these three actually saw Jesus when He was with them, and this is a good reminder for us.
Sometimes we are acutely aware of Jesus’ presence in our lives. Sometimes He seems miles away. In both situations, He is there nonetheless, working in ways we never imagined. C.H. Spurgeon noted that God’s people often experience three different types of furnaces in their life.
“First, there is the furnace which men kindle.””Secondly, there is a furnace which Satan blows with three great bellows.””And thirdly, there is a furnace which God Himself prepares for His people.”
C.H. Spurgeon
No matter which fire we have been in (or are currently in), Jesus is there! Let that sink in for a moment. Jesus is with you. Not only that, Jesus will use that fire to free you from bondage, reveal Himself in ways never before seen, and bolster your faith in His mighty power. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked freely in the furnace and Jesus used it to set them free from the falsely constructed shackles of man! The fire that man built only served to make these three stronger in their faith – and He does the same thing for us today!
So, consider, where have you forgotten that Jesus is with you? Where are you struggling to see His strength in your trial? How sad would it have been for these three had they compromised and never experienced the power of God in that fire?