As it says in Psalm 107, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

[and so we see your love every day in the myriad of provisions and protections you pour out upon us; we can see, hear, speak, walk, work and write. You give us food, shelter, health, community and sleep, among many others wonderful gifts.]

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say this—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,”

[You, Lord Jesus, have certainly redeemed us from the hand of Satan, from the hand of sin, from the hands of evil men. You are our Savior, Shepherd and Sustainer. Praise be to you forever and ever.]

“those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.”

[Thank you, Lord, that you work in people everywhere, opening their eyes, giving them the desire for truth, bringing them your Word. You are the true, loving God, gracious to all, forgiving to all those who come.]

“Some wandered in desert wastelands,”

[when we reject your truth, go our own way, we dwell in dry and parched lands of our own making, far from the green pastures you have for us.]

“finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away.”

[In our own path we go from one bad decision to the next. We search for sustenance and find none, we grow weaker and weaker. Everything goes downhill because we are far from your way.]

“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,”

[When they finally saw that their way was not good, that their wisdom was insufficient, that their strength was too little, then they cried out to you.]

“and he delivered them from their distress.”

[You, Lord, in your goodness were right there, waiting for them to come to their senses, to see their need, to cry out to you. You were ready to help as soon as they were ready to receive.]

“He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.”

[You, Lord, know the way and are very willing, eager to lead us by it, if only we would follow. You give us wisdom, insight, security and community, all we need to prosper.]

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love”

[and truly it is unfailing as you wait and wait for us to repent of our selfish, stubborn independence. You don’t give up, you are patient, persistence and prepared.]

“and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”

[What you have for us is beyond good, it is wonderful, marvelous, awesome, great. You, Lord, have only good for us, satisfying our thirst for love and forgiveness, our hunger for relationship, reality and meaning. You know our needs, for you are our Creator; you are able to supply our needs, for you are infinite; you are willing to supply our needs, for you are good. Praise be to you, both now and forever.]