Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
And gathered out of the lands,
From the east and from the west,
From the north and from the south.
They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way;
They found no city to dwell in.
Hungry and thirsty,
Their soul fainted in them.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He delivered them out of their distresses.
And He led them forth by the right way,
That they might go to a city for a dwelling place.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness. – Psalm 107:1-9

As I read Psalm 107  this evening (all 43 verses, not just the 9 above), I read my story–God’s story–the source of my joy.  It’s not a joy born of everything going my way.  It is a joy birthed through labor, at times very painful labor. But oh the joy that comes when labor is complete! The new life that comes forth with fresh eyes and fresh hope.

I cannot help but lift up praises to my God, to exclaim His faithfulness to all generations. He redeemed me. He heard my cries. He saw my distress.  And He came. He came and rescued me. He satisfied my longing soul. He shined His light in my darkness. He brought His freedom to my captivity. He healed the broken pieces. He calmed the raging seas. Why? Because His steadfast love endures forever. Yes. He loves me. And I love Him. And I thank Him.

Thank You Lord for hearing my cries, and for delivering me from my distress. Thank You for your steadfast love and Your wondrous works to the children of man.