Desperation (Part 2 of 4) – Psalm 107:10–16
Have you ever been locked up in bondage?
Can you even imagine what it would be like to be a POW (prisoner of war)? This is much worse than being imprisoned for committing a crime. POWs do not know what is happening, and they have no idea when they will be released. They do not even know if they will live or be executed.
The Israelites were in bondage because of their sins. They “[sat] in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; because they rebelled against the words of God, and [despised] the counsel of the most High” (vv. 10, 11).
God allowed them to become desperate. “He brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help” (v. 12). They were in a spiritual bondage, but in order to be freed from it, they first had to become desperate.
There are two kinds of bondage—physical bondage (such as POWs) and emotional/spiritual bondage. Emotional/spiritual bondage will cause you to become most desperate. No one can really help you—except the Lord. Cry out to Him!
“They cried out unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses” (v. 13).
When God hears your cry of desperation and frees you from any kind of bondage—don’t forget to express thankfulness to Him!
This is the second time that the Psalmist wrote, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (v. 15). This must be important!