Out of the Darkness

Read Psalm 107:10-16

The problem or predicament is one being in a prison, a place of darkness, like a tomb or cave, damp, filthy, cold, not fit for man nor beast. The way of the transgressor is hard indeed. The ready eminence of execution as death brings horror to the soul and hangs in the air. Helplessness, hopelessness, bound in misery as well as chains, under the conviction of sin. Oh for the light of just a few promises of hope! Rebelling against the words of God, and spurning the counsel of the Most High will surely bring dire consequences. After all, His word is always for our good, and always for our survival. "Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in Him." Col.2:6. If you wander away from Him, you betray your own safety.

The prayer or petition then goes out to heaven, to the One for which nothing is too difficult, and for whom all things are possible. So often we look around for help instead of going to One who is a "present help in time of trouble.(Psalm 46:1). As Mary and Martha sent word first to Jesus, saying, "Lord, behold, the one You love is sick."(John 11:3). He will welcome our cry at any time. The thief on the cross, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom."(Luke 23:42). He desires for you to see the Light of the world and to let that light so shine forth so that others might glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The pardon or provision comes from the prayer or petition. He brings them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and breaks their bands apart. "He delivered us from the domain of darkness" (Col.2:13), the sins which were all about us, and we were in bondage to. He has redeemed us, "we are a new creature, a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, new things have come(2 Cor. 5:17). Righteousness now reigns in our hearts, and not sin. God gives us light, life, and liberty. 

Then there is the praise. And again, as in verse 8, the psalmist exhorts those who were in the world without hope and without God, once dead in their transgressions, to give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, mercies, and steadfast love. This is amazing mercy, amazing love, amazing grace toward the sons of men, how can it be? The timeless truth of John 3:16 shows us, "For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Those who call upon Him will not be disappointed. It will take many ages to come to attempt to grasp the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. Those who come to Him, will certainly in no way be cast out. The Lord can surely deliver us from days in the dungeon.

Elder Randy Slak