Years ago my Father-in-law, the late Dr. W. Burkette Raper introduced me to a quote by Edmund Burke. Burke said “Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” Think about this. If you place your hand on a hot burner on your stove, you learn not to do that again. Sadly there are those suffering from severe dementia and Alzheimer’s who may not remember that a hot burner can cause them pain and damage. Those suffering from that kind of mental dysfunction need help and must be supervised to keep them from hurting themselves. God’s Word contains the history of mankind and our struggles in life. In recording this history God is giving us the ability to learn from other people’s struggle. Psalm 107 is a perfect example of this with the illustrations of four human dilemmas. The first is the traveler, who is lost in the wilderness without food or water. God rescued these wanderers after they prayed. That section ends with these beautiful words OH THAT MEN WOULD PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN! (Psalm 107:8 NLT) The second illustration tells about those in prison for their disobedience. These prayed to the Lord and He saved them. This section also ends with the same beautiful words . . . OH THAT MEN WOULD PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN! (Psalm 107:15 NLT) The third problem described is that of people suffering either physical or emotional illness. In this Psalm these likewise prayed and were healed by God. The Psalmist repeats his chorus OH THAT MEN WOULD PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN! (Psalm 107:21 NLT) The fourth issue is the story sailors on the seas who sail far beyond the sea shore. When the storms threatened their survival, they called out to the Lord, who rescues them. We read the chorus again OH THAT MEN WOULD PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN! (Psalm 107:28 NLT) Edmund Burke said “Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” God’s Word says in Psalm 107:43 (NLT) . . . “THOSE WHO ARE WISE WILL TAKE ALL THIS TO HEART; THEY WILL SEE IN OUR HISTORY THE FAITHFUL LOVE OF THE LORD.” (Psalm 107:42-43 NLT)
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 10:15:44 +0000
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