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At the end of four long psalms in a row, I’m (we’re) exhorted to “…consider the great love of the LORD” (107:43).

OK. Let me do just that….do some considering, that is.

“Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11, NASB). Lord, thank you for putting my sin nature to death and awakening my spirit to YOU!

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). Lord, I haven’t suffered much in comparison to many, but I DO KNOW that it will be far better to one day be in your presence.  Come quickly.

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise…” (1 Corinthians 1:26-27 NASB).  Lord, I was from a family of dirt farmers in the deserts of Arizona, far from nobility, yet you chose me. I praise Your name.

“Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry” (Colossians 3:5 NASB). Lord, I must do this daily for I’m still housed in a body of flesh that remembers far too much what it was like to be ruled by a sin nature. Continue to deliver me.

“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession” (Hebrews 3:1 NASB) Whom else would I consider? All else is a foolish pursuit.

“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3).  Jesus, Your forbearance in suffering will never be matched, but it can inspire a desire to be molded into Your imagine.

“ Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” (James 1:2). Lord, this is another one of those daily needs I have. It seems that no matter how well I may have worked through the last trial the next one presents its own new challenges to my faith. Please turn my heart into one filled with joy no matter what the circumstances.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.  ² Let the redeemed of the LORD say this— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,  ³ those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.  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.  ⁶ Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, 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 men,  ⁹ for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.  ¹⁰ Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains,  ¹¹ for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.  ¹² So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help.  ¹³ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.  ¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.  ¹⁵ Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men,  ¹⁶ for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.  ¹⁷ Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.  18 They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death.  ¹⁹ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.  ²⁰ He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.  ²¹ Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.  ²² Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.  ²³ Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters.  ²⁴ They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep.  ²⁵ For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves.  ²⁶ They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away.  ²⁷ They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits’ end.  ²⁸ Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, 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.  ³¹ Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.  ³² Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.  ³³ He turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground,  ³⁴ and fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who lived there.  ³⁵ He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs;  ³⁶ there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle.  ³⁷ They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest;  ³⁸ he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish.  ³⁹ Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow;  ⁴⁰ he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste.  ⁴¹ But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks.  ⁴² The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.  ⁴³ Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD.
— Psalm 107

Howard Morrison is a partner in Gilbert, Arizona’s Morrison Ranch (where one of his nicknames is Bias for Action). In addition to being an active second-generation partner in the the family owned business, Howard identifies himself as a pastor (in a previous life), a husband, and the glad father of three.