If Psalm 107 says anything to me, it is this; this life and its circumstances are temporary. The trials that we face are temporary; challenges that come to us daily are temporary. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us of Abraham, called by God to forsake his birthplace to travel to a land he knew nothing of, living in tents, finding no permanent dwelling, they sought a city whose Builder and Maker is God. Judy and I are moving from the house we had built for our family thirty years ago. We hardly ever considered the prospect of moving but we are in that process now. This life is temporary; it is a proving ground. Watch the evening news and see just how temporary this life is. My mind draws me to think of those people in the Southern USA who have lost everything they own because of the storms, hurricanes and they probaly thought their homes were permanent dwellings but in a night all was lost.
Look at the stock market and see what temporary means..you could lose it all in a few minutes..or it could turn around in a short period of time. Let me read to you some verses from 107: 33 He turns rivers into a wilderness, And the watersprings into dry ground; 34 A fruitful land into barrenness, For the wickedness of those who dwell in it. 35 He turns a wilderness into pools of water, And dry land into watersprings. 36 There He makes the hungry dwell, That they may establish a city for a dwelling place, 37 And sow fields and plant vineyards, That they may yield a fruitful harvest. 38 He also blesses them, and they multiply greatly; And He does not let their cattle decrease. 39 When they are diminished and brought low Through oppression, affliction, and sorrow, 40 He pours contempt on princes, And causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way; 41 Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, And makes their families like a flock. 42 The righteous see it and rejoice, And all iniquity stops its mouth. 43 Whoever is wise will observe these things, And they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
Just about everything you read here is temporary. So in light of all these things, what really counts as far as your life and my life is concerned? Is it moving into a newer home? Is it buying a new car? Is it serving in a church program that makes you feel like you are serving God and that will get you favor with Him? Is there any security in this life? In another psalm, 37, the psalm writer said it this way:"I have been young and now I am old; yet never have I seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread." There is security in this life but what about the next? Are we eternally secure in this life? Is there hope beyond the grave? I think that the patriarch Job struggled with some of these questions. From the 23rd. chapter of the book of Job starting at the first verse:1 Then Job answered and said:
2 “Even today my complaint is bitter; My[a] hand is listless because of my groaning.
3 Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat!
4 I would present my case before Him, And fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which He would answer me, And understand what He would say to me.
6 Would He contend with me in His great power? No! But He would take note of me.
Truly God does take note of us and though this life is full of tests and trials yet there is a place that God has prepared for those that love Him, a dwelling place of God eternal in heaven and it is waiting for you...all you have to do is surrender your heart and life to Jesus and you will find that eternal security that there is in God as long as you walk in His love and put your trust in Him.