What actions can we take to avoid the folly described in Psalm 107:17? The Folly in View “Fools suffered affliction for their rebellious ways and their iniquities.” – Psalm 107:17 Psalm 107 sketches a downward spiral: rebellion → iniquity → suffering. The remedy is to choose God’s path before the consequences set in. Action #1: Cultivate the Fear of the Lord • Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.” • Healthy reverence restrains rebellion. • Practice: Begin each day acknowledging God’s authority and asking Him to order your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6). Action #2: Anchor Your Life in Scripture • Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” • Hebrews 4:12 reminds us the Word “judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” • Practice: Set a consistent reading plan; memorize key verses that confront areas of weakness. Action #3: Be Quick to Repent • 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” • Repentance breaks the pattern before affliction deepens. • Practice: Keep short accounts with God; respond immediately when the Spirit convicts. Action #4: Walk by the Spirit, Not the Flesh • Galatians 5:16: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” • Regular surrender empowers obedience. • Practice: Begin tasks with a silent prayer for the Spirit’s control; end the day reviewing where you sensed His leading. Action #5: Choose Wise Companions • 1 Corinthians 15:33: “Bad company corrupts good character.” • Psalm 1:1-2 contrasts the blessed man with the fool. • Practice: Seek mentors who model godliness; limit influences that pull toward rebellion. Action #6: Remember God’s Past Deliverances • Psalm 107 repeats, “Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion.” • Recalling mercy fuels gratitude and obedience. • Practice: Keep a journal of answered prayers and lessons learned from past troubles. Action #7: Armor Up Daily • Ephesians 6:10-18 details spiritual armor that guards against deceptive folly. • Practice: Verbally walk through each piece of armor in morning prayer, especially the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Action #8: Serve Others in Love • James 1:22: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” • Serving redirects focus from self-will to God’s will. • Practice: Commit to a regular ministry or act of compassion; let obedience take tangible form. Putting It All Together By fearing the Lord, grounding ourselves in Scripture, repenting quickly, walking by the Spirit, surrounding ourselves with wise influences, remembering God’s faithfulness, wearing His armor, and serving others, we sidestep the rebellious patterns that turned the people of Psalm 107 into sufferers. Wisdom chooses submission now rather than learning the hard way later. |
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