“I have always felt thankful to God,” wrote Adoniram Judson as he reflected on God’s leading in his life. God moved Judson “to break the strong attachment I felt to home and country, and to endure the thought of abandoning all my wonted pursuits and animating prospects.” The Lord shaped Judson’s desires so that his former ambitions faded and “left a strong desire to prosecute my inquiries and ascertain the path of duty.”1 That path of duty led to capture by pirates, imprisonment in France during the French Revolution, missionary work in Burma, death prison during a war between Burma and Britain, Bible translation to Burmese, the eventual salvation of thousands of people, and the planting of Baptist churches throughout Burma.2

Psalm 107 and Adoniram Judson

Looking back at God’s leading in his life, Judson obeyed Psalm 107’s repeated exhortation: “Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8).

  • The psalmist specifically gives thanks for God’s leading: “He led them forth by the right way” (Psalm 107:7).
  • He mentions God’s deliverance: “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses” (Psalm 107:6).
  • He expresses gratefulness for God’s provision: “For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness” (Psalm 107:9).

Each step of the way God walks with His people–“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).

Psalm 107 and You

Like Judson, we must give thanks to God. Though most of us have never faced pirates, endured death prison, or started a church planting movement among an unreached people group, we, too, have experienced God’s leading, deliverance, and provision. Today is a good day to reflect on what God has done. As the psalmist concludes Psalm 107, “Whoever is wise will observe these things, And they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord” (Psalm 107:43).

Be wise. Be thankful. And “let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (Psalm 107:2).

  1. Edward Judson, The Life of Adoniram Judson (New York: A. D. F. Randolph, 1883), 16–17. ↩︎
  2. Read more of God’s leading in Adoniram Judson’s life in my new missions devotional, Daring Decision: A 31-Day Journey with those who Followed God’s Leading. ↩︎

Photo Credit: Genmni

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