Weekly Devotion
June 29, 2025

Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story.

I have been contemplating Psalm 107 lately. It opens with the call to “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.”, then goes on to repeat four times, “Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind.”

So who is the psalmist giving this invitation to?

First it is the redeemed of the LORD. “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so.” (ie, tell their story) This reminds me of two songs from years gone by. The first was a round we sang at camp, which was musically fun, but I can’t say I understood what it meant for the redeemed to “say so”. Over the years, the richness of the meaning has grown into a beautiful theme: tell your story. What has God done? The second is a hymn penned by Fanny Crosby; “Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Redeemed by His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am.” So, who are the redeemed? What have they been rescued from? The psalmist says they have been saved from the foe and have been gathered from every direction. God has done the work on our behalf, and no one is exempt. They lead the chorus of thanksgiving as they tell their story of salvation.

Next are the wanderers who have lost their way, trying to find a secure place where they could settle. They are hungry and thirsty and call out to God, who delivers them, leads them to a safe place, and satisfies them with food and water. How many of us have been in a dry desert and unable to find our way, only to find that God has given us direction, security, and satisfying food? “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.”

The third group has been set free from the prison of darkness. They have discovered that God has the power to break every chain that restricts them, even the gates of bronze and bars of iron. This is not some weak crutch of a God. This is the all-powerful One. No wonder they give thanks. They are free. “Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind, for He breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.”

The fourth group has been healed from affliction and saved from death. They had turned away from God, only to call out to Him. God responds with love every time. Here, a joyful sacrifice of thanksgiving is called for. Do you have a story of joy that begs to be told? How can you share it? “Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works with songs of joy.”

Finally, there are the explorers. They had adventures, but when they came to the end of themselves, they also called out to God, who rescued them from their peril, calmed their sea and brought them to their desired haven. As they give thanks, they are asked to praise God in the congregation and in the council of the elders. Do you need to go public with your story? Can you encourage others, whether in conversation, by writing a devotional, or somehow letting people know that God is good, reliable and powerful, so they can give thanks with you? “Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the people and praise Him in the council of the elders.”

The psalm ends with several contrasts: rivers and abundant lands turned to deserts and wastelands and then restored to fruitfulness. Calamity and blessing. Wickedness and righteousness.

In conclusion, “Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the LORD.”

We do well to contemplate this truth. Tell your story. Give thanks to God. Remember His unfailing love.

Written by
Janet Allen