Some distress calls to God. Psalm 107 [Part 3]..

Some became fools through their rebellious way and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. Psalm 107:17-19

The third scenario in this Psalm is about some fools who got in trouble because of their folly. They rebelled and made their way to the gates of death. They were not fools from the start but they became one. Some things in their life turned them into fools. For only a fool would go against God. The verse says ‘They Loathed all food.’, Food is something that gives energy to our body. It gives us the strength to do each work. And here, the fool hates the food. The very thing that helps him to live, he hates. Such are the signs of a fool.

A fool won’t learn from his mistakes.

Let’s look at the life of Samson. He was chosen by God to destroy Philistines. He was told not to use razor on his head. But He became a fool when he told this secret to Delilah. She had betrayed him thrice, before. Hence, only a fool would tell her the truth the fourth time. You cannot become a fool until you decide to become one. He thought “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.”  For He did not realize that God had left him. Sometimes in our lives too, we take God for granted and do all foolish things and still expect God to help us. These things would lead us to the gates of death.

A fool will not fear God.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy one is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, then surely not fearing God is the sign of a fool. Miriam and Aaron opposed Moses.  The reason to talk against him was the marriage of Moses with a Cushite woman. But the argument they put forward was ‘Has the Lord spoken only through Moses.’ They did not fear to talk against the servant of God. Hence, when God punishes Miriam, Aaron admits to his foolishness. (Numbers 12:8 and 12:11)

A fool would want to take on other’s ministry.

When we try to take on the ministry of others, thinking we are better at it, we act in our stupidity. Saul and Uzziah are two Kings who thought to act on behalf of others. Saul performed the burnt offerings, which should be performed by Samuel. The very first thing Samuel said when he reached the place was “You acted foolishly.” Uzziah entered the temple to offer incense on the alter of incense which should be performed by the priests. There were around eighty courageous priests to stop him. But he did not listen to anyone. Thus, bringing the wrath of God on himself.

A fool will not listen to anyone.

Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by doing this. Now, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.  1 Chronicles 20:8

David acted foolishly when he wanted to know the number of fighting men in his country. Joab had warned him not to do so. But David’s rule overruled him. And he faced the consequences. Uzziah also did not heed to those eighty priests. Hence, a fool will not listen to anyone.

But the good news is, our God is a merciful God. When we get into the trouble because of our idiocy. Still God helps us because His mercy endures forever.

This foolishness led David to the threshing floor of Araunah. Where He and His son Solomon built the temple of God. A temple of God where people can come to pray and ask forgiveness for their foolishness.  At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passion and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared. He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Titus 3:3-5. If David found the threshing floor of Araunah because of his foolishness, we found Christ because of our madness. This mercy, sustains us all in the QUIVER OF GOD.