Psalm 107 - Tell Your Story

1-3 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 

Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. 

We all - those who are redeemed - have a story to tell. The "hand of the foe" takes may forms, but until a person is redeemed by the Lord Jesus he/she is in Satan's grip. 

The way you tell your story is, well... you tell what your life was like before you chose to follow Jesus. The psalmist gave some examples:

• 4 Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. 5 They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. 
• 10 Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, 11 because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High.
• 17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. 
• 23 Some went out on the sea in ships; … For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. … in their peril their courage melted away.

Then for most of those described there came a time when a crises made them realize that only God could save them:

• 5 ...their lives ebbed away.
• 12 So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
• 18 They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death.
•  27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end.

Then they called on the LORD to save them:

• 6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
• 13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
• 19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
• 28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,

And their lives were changed!:

• ...and he delivered them from their distress. 7 He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. 8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, 9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
• ...and he saved them from their distress. 14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. 
• ...and he saved them from their distress. 20 He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
• ...and he brought them out of their distress. 29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.

Praise the LORD!:

• 8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, 9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
• 15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, 16 for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.
• 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.
• 31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. 32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

So what's YOUR story? 

Write it out. 

Now write out a shortened version.

Now tell your story! Just as part of your everyday life share what God has done and is doing in your life. Give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and His wonderful deeds.

Psalm 18 - Testimony Time

In several (most) of the psalms that we have looked at so far in our 150 day journey David is crying out to God for help. Today's psalm is written after God's help came - after David was delivered from his enemies.

It makes a nice outline for sharing your story (giving your testimony.)

First - tell how great God is, what he means to you. vs. 1-3

Then tell what your life was like before you were saved - vs. 4-6

Tell how God saved you. - vs. 7-19

Then tell how your life is different now - vs. 20 and following, especially verses 32-35

Praise the Lord again -
49 Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.

Bottom line:
Many people don't share their faith because they don't know what to say. They think they have to memorize a bunch of Bible verses and perhaps even have a degree from a seminary so they know all of the answers to everyone's questions. That's not the case. All you need to share Jesus with someone is to share your story.

My life before I met Christ
How I came to know Him (someone told you about Him, or through scripture reading, - YOUR story)
What my life is like now that I'm a follower of Jesus.

That's it.

What's your story?