Paul wrote in Romans, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (15:4).
If we agree with this verse, then we believe that the content found in Nehemiah and Psalms is just as relevant for us today as it was for the original audience. As we actively respond to these Scriptures, we pray that the Holy Spirit will give us insight on how to apply these passages to our lives. Our desire is that he continues to cultivate our love for God and a longing to know his Word.
The distressing news that Nehemiah heard concerning Jerusalem caused him to weep and mourn for days. It also prompted him to fast and pray to the Lord, interceding for his fellow citizens and his own family and confessing their collective sins.
In Psalm 107, the psalmist instructs the people of God to give thanks to the one who has redeemed them. The specific reasons to give thanks to the Lord in verses 8 and 9 include his unfailing love, his wonderful deeds, and his filling up the thirsty and hungry soul with goodness.
When I first read Psalm 107, I immediately thought about Mary’s song in Luke right after she learns she will carry the Messiah. So, Mary provides an example of what praying this Psalm might look like….When I’m just overwhelmed by something amazing I see or experience (a sunset, the unexpected kindness of someone), I can worship Him. I can remind myself that He indeed fills me! (A good little thing to store in my bucket for those days when I feel empty.) It’s an affirmation of a Biblical truth about my God!
I love the rest of the verses too! If we disobey GOD is amazing how quickly HE responds to us. How quickly HE forgives if we repent
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High. So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,”
Psalms 107:8-15 NIV
I want to be a hungry and longing soul like mentioned in Psalm 107:8-9. I can apply this to my life by praying and asking God to continue to show me ways I can seek him and I can remember that with my longing and hunger for God I will be satisfied and filled with good things.