October 22, 2009
HINDSIGHT IS 20/20
Psalm 107:33-43
Julie Cobb
Central Truth
Give thanks to God for He is good!
Key Verse | Psalm 107:43
Whoever is wise, let him take note of these things!
Let them consider the Lord's acts of loyal love!
(Psalm 107:43)
Psalm 107:33-43
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.
Dive Deeper | Psalm 107:33-43
Have you ever said to yourself, “Hindsight is 20/20”? If you are like me, you probably say it several times a day.
I find it easy to look back on my life and wish I had said or done something different at a particular time. For instance, I went on a ski trip to Colorado with an accomplished skier. Though I had not put on a pair of skis in over 10 years, I felt confident in my abilities. Initially, I planned to warm up on the easier runs (greens and blues), but instead I allowed my friend to talk me into starting the day on a black slope (the most difficult). Halfway down the mountain, I lost my balance and fell, tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in my knee. This lapse in judgment ended my skiing experience and caused me to have major knee surgery. In hindsight, I would have done things very differently that day.
Recognizing God’s hand in my life isn’t always easy at the time. But like everything else, I find it fascinating to reflect on past moments and see when God was at work protecting me and guiding me. In the midst of day-to-day life I have a tendency to take control of everything I do rather than seeking God in prayer, letting Him take control, and giving Him thanks for all His help and for all He has given me.
Too often, I forget to give God praise and glory for both the good and the challenging times in my life. Though I may look back in hindsight and realize the blessings He has bestowed upon me, it is in the actual moment that I am supposed to yield to Him and give thanks. Psalm 107 is a great testament to God’s great works and deliverance. He gives to us when we are in need, He provides for us, He protects us against our enemies, and He answers our prayers. Rather than look back in hindsight, seek to focus on Him in the present. Look for Him today!
Discussion Questions
1. Do you regularly give praise and glory to God for both the good and the challenging times in your life?
2. How often do you go to God in prayer for provision and guidance and how often do you give Him praise?
3. What is an example of a time in your life when you have looked back and said, "Hindsight is 20/20"?