In Jesus’ very first sermon, He jolts us by asking us not just to tolerate our enemies, but love them (Matthew 5:44, 45). “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
The motivation and ability to love our enemies come not from a hidden source of counter-intuitive willpower, but from a heart transformed to think and act as God does. It’s not that God has love, but IS love, a love as universal as the sunshine and the rain.
This does not mean that all will be saved, for Jesus Himself taught us otherwise, but who, finally, is saved? From a human perspective, how do we get in on the grace bonanza?
The short answer is, “Ask.”
Psalm 107 is an exposition of this principle. It begins with a general call for the redeemed to praise God for his redemption. And of course, that presumes trouble from which they’ve been redeemed.
What kind of trouble?
Hunger and thirst in the desert (v. 4).
Suffering in prison (v. 10).
Physical weakness approaching death (v. 18).
Storms on the high seas (vv. 23, 25).
Oppression and societal decay (vv. 39, 40).
These all are serious and even life threatening situations. Some, like the thirsty wanderers (v. 4), the sailors (v. 23), and the oppressed (v. 39), were merely living their lives when they encountered danger.
But the others had rebelled against God (v. 11), and suffered as a result of bad choices violating God’s law (v. 17). They, too, Were shown grace and delivered. So what was the common denominator?
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.” vv. 6, 13, 19, 28.
They asked. He delivered. Period.
It’s easy and common for us to think of God showing grace in some nebulous, grandfatherly way. But the reality is that He hears and answers prayers, not for the righteous, but for common sinners who turn to Him, even those who brought trouble upon themselves.
The psalmist also reminds us that the proper response is to “Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men!” vv. 8, 15, 21, 31
That seems to put all of us in one of two categories:
We are either in need of deliverance or in need of giving thanks!
Which is it for you?
“Whoever is wise, let him heed these things,
and consider the great love of the Lord.” Psalm 107:43