Psalm 107:31
Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!
There’s a famous saying: “Two men looked out from prison bars; one saw the mud, the other saw the stars.” This saying captures a truth that strikingly reflects our lives. No matter the many blessings we have, we still find ourselves often grumbling. We tend to nitpick every imperfection in our lives and around us.
Psalm 107 illustrates four scenes of people facing crisis—lost in a desert, chained in darkness, broken through sickness, and tossed on a stormy sea. In each story, they cry out, and God delivers them.
The psalmist declares: “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!” (vv. 8, 15, 21, 31). The psalm repeats this command multiple times to emphasize an important truth. Gratitude is not denial of pain; it is the recognition and declaration of God’s presence through it.
Our complaints often focus on the mud: delays, disappointments, unmet expectations. But thankfulness lifts our eyes to the stars: God’s faithfulness, provision, and power. The word “goodness” in Psalm 107:31 speaks of His unfailing love; “wonderful works” highlight the miraculous rescues He performs for His children. When we embrace gratitude, we shift from a mindset of lack to a posture of trust.
So every day, instead of mud, let’s choose to see the stars. Let our gratitude become our testimony, and our testimony become another’s hope. In a world quick to complain, a thankful heart is a quiet revolution!
