Say So!

"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 107:4-9.

In other words, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so," Psalm 107:2. When you read these words do you feel the passion that the Psalmist clearly felt when he wrote them? "Oh that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" That phrase is repeated several times throughout this Psalm. These words were written 1000 years before the Son of God came to earth to do the most wonderful work of all that God would ever do for the children of men. We have something so much greater over which to be passionate and emotionally driven to exultation.

It may be that the people spoken of in the passage above were the Israelites whom God led from Egypt, across the wilderness for 40 plus years into the promised land. It may refer to travelers in general making their way across a barren wilderness, hungry and thirsty and fainting, desolate. It's not a difficult task to imagine their relief and gratitude when God takes them by the hand and leads them "forth by the right way" into a city for a dwelling place. What a horror it must have been 3000 years ago to be wandering, lost in a desolate wilderness. What a blessing to be guided to a city filled with food and water.

In a figurative way the picture painted by the words of the passage could describe the journey the present day follower of God, a Christian, is making through a world which is not our home, as we like Abraham, "search for a city which has foundations whose builder and maker is God," Hebrews 11:10. Actually, it is almost the literal situation for the soul of man. Our soul is in a desolate wilderness that provides none of the necessities needed to sustain it, that contains no markers or road signs that give direction to get to a city that provides refuge for the soul. Those things don't exist as part of this world and won't be found in it.

But God understands the situation and distress of our souls, and He has provided a city of refuge, Heaven (known of in song as the "Home of the Soul",) made a way for us to get to that destination, the sacrifice by His dear Son on the cross, and leads us forth by the right way to get there in the Bible. This is reason to praise Him. This is reason to glorify Him. This is reason to "say so."

Then why don't we? This is a serious question, fellow Christians. Why don't we? Why aren't we busy spreading the word of the gospel, telling the world about Jesus and what he's done for us, for them? I don't think the answer is that we don't want to. I think that the answer is that we are fearful. And please notice that I am using "we." I am writing this to me, maybe for me more than for you, but I hope it encourages all of us to take our mission more seriously.

When Jesus gave His disciples the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, He gave it to us as well. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you," Part of their commission was to "teach them to observe all things that I have commanded you. He had just commanded them to "go" and to "make disciples." If we observe all things that He commanded them, then we will be serious about making disciples, about teaching the gospel.

But we're afraid to do so because of many excuses we feel justified in making. We're being like Moses, but Moses' excuses did not move God. They did make God angry (Exodus 4:14.) So let's not be ruled by our excuses. Rather let us overcome them and put our hand to the plow and not look back (Luke 9:62.) There are at least three things that we"ll have to do in order to be successful.

FIrst, we need a plan of attack. What is something that you realistically can do that you will actually do? Someone might set up a table in a public place, with a sign on it that says something similar to, "Can you prove to me by the Bible that you are saved?" or a similar provocative (but kind) question that might engender a discussion, Charlie Kirk style. The point is to try to open a discussion that might lead to a person obeying the gospel. You might put bumper stickers on your car that ask such questions with a phone number or some contact information. You might write a message once a month and mail to selected friends, hoping to prompt discussion. Ask them if they read or what they thought about it. If you're more adventurous you might start your own podcast, or use modern social technology in ways that you can to engage people.

Second, whatever method we choose to use, we must be appealing, friendly, kind and caring. We must show the spirit of Christ. I have read statements from people in the last few weeks in which they state that they have been drawn to be a Christian solely because of the attitudes they have seen in Christian people. We must have the humble mind of Christ, Phil. 2:5-8. We must speak graciously, Col. 4:6, and only with words that are good for edification, Eph. 4:29. Remember, "a soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir anger," Prov. 15:1. (And we need to drive in a thoughtful manner.)

Third, we need to be prepared. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear," 1 Peter 3:15. " Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim 2:15. Also, live a life that is unassailable by those who will always work against you.

To some extent, you will have to be willing to stand up and be seen, to talk out and be heard. It will require a sacrifice from a nice comfy life with little in the way of problems, but if we persist, it may even grow on us and help us to feel whole. "God satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness." I cannot speak for God other than to echo what He says in the Bible, but it seems that people have become more receptive to the message of God's word now than any time I can remember. Perhaps we have been given a window of opportunity to make a difference. It's time that the redeemed of the Lord, say so.