Here's Your Sign

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 (NIV)

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his 
love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of 
the Lord tell their story – those he redeemed 
from the land of the foe, 3 those he gathered 
from the lands, from east and west, from north 
and south.
17 Some became fools through their rebellious 
ways and suffered affliction because of their 
iniquities. 18 They loathed all food and drew 
near the gates of death. 19 Then they cried to 
the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from 
their distress. 20 He sent out his word and healed 
them; he rescued them from the grave. 21 Let 
them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing 
love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. 22 
Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his 
works with songs of joy.

“Here’s Your Sign” goes the bit made popular by comedian Bill Engvall. And I wonder, how many times a day does God peer down on earth and think that in his head? I’m fairly certain it’s been thrown my way more than a few times.
The writer of this Thanksgiving psalm starts by reminding us that God is good. God’s love for us is unfailing – forever. And even when we are fools, even when we mess up, even when we do stupid things – his mercy is there if we call on him. How convicting! Why is it that we stubbornly attempt to solve problems we face on our own? Why is it that we wait until things get a little out of hand to turn to God and ask for help?
Fortunately, we eventually remember. God is there. God is with us. God will help. And so we ask. And so we pray. And God sends us help. But! The psalmist is reminding us that our job is not done. “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story!” We are to look for God’s influence, mercy and love. We are to talk about it. We are to share. We are to say thank you.
Some people learn by example, others learn by experience. Unfortunately, I’m the kind that learns by experience. And, as the psalmist says, THANKS TO GOD for he is good and his love endures forever! Part of me is looking forward to when I get to heaven so that God (and my mother) can look back over my life, hand me my sign and we can have a good chuckle.

Brenda Hicks is the Director of Financial Aid at Southwestern College