Psalm 107 ~ He brought them to their desired haven

Psalm 107

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

¹ Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble [from the hand of the foe]
³ and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.

⁴ Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to a city to dwell in;
⁵ hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
⁶ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
⁷ He led them by a straight way
till they reached a city to dwell in.
⁸ Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
⁹ For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

¹⁰ Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
prisoners in affliction and in irons,
¹¹ for they had rebelled against the words of God,
and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
¹² So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;
they fell down, with none to help.
¹³ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
and burst their bonds apart.
¹⁵ Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
¹⁶ For he shatters the doors of bronze
and cuts in two the bars of iron.

¹⁷ Some were fools through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
¹⁸ they loathed any kind of food,
and they drew near to the gates of death.
¹⁹ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
²⁰ He sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from their destruction.
²¹ Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
²² And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

²³ Some went down to the sea in ships,
doing business on the great waters;
²⁴ they saw the deeds of the LORD,
his wondrous works in the deep.
²⁵ For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea.
²⁶ They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their evil plight;
²⁷ they reeled and staggered like drunken men
and were at their wits’ end. [and all their wisdom was swallowed up]
²⁸ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
²⁹ He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
³⁰ Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
³¹ Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
³² Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

³³ He turns rivers into a desert,
springs of water into thirsty ground,
³⁴ a fruitful land into a salty waste,
because of the evil of its inhabitants.
³⁵ He turns a desert into pools of water,
a parched land into springs of water.
³⁶ And there he lets the hungry dwell,
and they establish a city to live in;
³⁷ they sow fields and plant vineyards
and get a fruitful yield.
³⁸ By his blessing they multiply greatly,
and he does not let their livestock diminish.

³⁹ When they are diminished and brought low
through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
⁴⁰ he pours contempt on princes
and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
⁴¹ but he raises up the needy out of affliction
and makes their families like flocks.
⁴² The upright see it and are glad,
and all wickedness shuts its mouth.

⁴³ Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

Labor Day Weekend wasn't the best for us. Many years ago, we just lucked into - were God blessed into - really good pre-marriage counseling. Our Episcopal Priest marrying us was Rev. Mike Wallens and Mike is a wise man. We read a book called, Finding Intimacy. Basically it covers expectations and stages in life planning. Mike told us good marriage requires marriage counseling at different life stages. He gave us examples of himself and his wife being married for 20 years and going for marriage counseling as a tune up. I'm not sure I believed this was needed for us at the time. And I probably thought marriage counseling for a marriage counseling priest is like a car for a car dealer.

So, Edward has a new stage in life, empty nester with a desire to use his talents of hand-to-eye coordination. And I am an empty nester, with an antique business that has done like many antique businesses in this economy, boop. Gone. Add to the mix, 3rd anniversary coming up of our infant daughter Isabelle's going to be with the LORD.

Expectations for 3 days of disc golf for a man who played the Master's Tournament and did well vs. wife with plans for a day trip to the beach meet Tropical Storm Lee. It was not a win-win situation. We debated... loudly. We debated in several rooms. We debated in the evening, late night, morning and shower. I'm not even sure the dog was pleased. I'm sure, he didn't like it either.

I love Psalm 107. It hits me right where I live.

²⁶They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their evil plight;
²⁷they reeled and staggered like drunken men
and were at their wits’ end. [and all their wisdom was swallowed up]
²⁸ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
²⁹He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
³⁰Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.

The desired haven is evident. We love each other, and ultimately we are the desired haven for each other. So, tired of arguing, we went to our Pastor, Clark Lowenfield. Clark helped us when Isabelle died and we talked about Job. Clark helped us when Edward had a new business and things were very thin and uncomfortable. We talked about the gifts of God and how to be grateful for what is provided.

So, we had a great and entertaining talk. Clark is an interesting man with evangelical and practical outlook on life. All that in one person. And Clark said, you've had your years of honeymooning, years of babies and Edward being the really great dad. And you've had your years of youth ministry and that was wonderful. Edward didn't spend those years hunting, fishing, golfing or being anywhere but with you all. Now these are Edward's years to be Edward. Transition times. Husband, not neglecting, striving to seek a balance, but Edward's years. Using the talent's God has given him. Not neglecting, but marriage adding to his life.

So.... Clark is right. When I read about golf widows it is really terrible to become a single mom while being married with children. Dads need to be dad. Shared family life as well as being themselves. But we are empty nesters. Clark made an interesting point. Middle age is about transitioning into old age. Becoming who we are to be. Made to be.

Am I just happy about this. No. I've had a really good cry for the stages of life where I'd like to be. I'm a wife, I'm supposed to plan and have time with my husband and he's going to disc golf some on Saturdays and Sundays. And he's going to plan time with me on the weekends. But I will miss the days when he was my constant half.

But I am married to someone who has some God given wisdom himself. Edward said you know it doesn't help to be told to get a hobby. Suggestions have been made for another antique business or helping the Pregnancy Assistance Center. It's too soon after Isabelle, it sounds terrible. Edward said it's like the stage in life when you are single and you feel like you are just dying to find the perfect person and they don't show up. But one day, God's plan starts to unfold. Edward said relax, and it will be placed in front of you. An opportunity that is appealing. I'm believing that. I pray and wait upon the Lord. In the mean time, I have a couple of things I'm going to try.


Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Father God, Jesus told us to pray and not give up. You give ministry and we will not lose heart. You've said there will be times we age or waste away, yet You renew us each day. We will be doing good, counting on You to provide the harvest. In You will I hope. In the name of Jesus. Amen.



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