Psalm 107 describes different groups of people who experience God’s steadfast, saving action in their lives. When I read verses 17-22, it reminded me of God’s saving action as I travel the path of recovery from addictive behaviors, recovery for myself and so many I love and serve.

Psalm 107:17-22 NIV
Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities
They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble and he saved them from their distress
He sent out his word and healed them
He rescued them from the grave

The path of addiction begins with pain
Pain from our own foolish, impulsive, rebellious, selfish choices
Pain from getting caught in the backwash of the destructive choices of others
Pain from just living in a broken, disordered world

We reach for things to take away the pain
Chocolate to Cocaine to Porn to 70 hour work weeks to Amazon to Netflix to Nintendo
Bingeing and Self-medicating and Burying
We lose our appetite for the good things of life
We look to these behaviors as salvation, but they actually bring us suffering
They take us to the very gates of death

Friends, there is hope
There is the good news
Anyone can cry out to God and God will hear
We can turn to God and God’s path of recovery
God’s love and strength are unfailing- even when we fail ourselves

God saves
Salvation means wholeness, healing
But it takes time
God does not wave a wand for a cosmic quick fix
God does not hand us a divine get out of rehab free card
Instead, God is steadfast in walking with us and working with us
Recovery is a journey, not a jump

God sends forth His word- creative, life-giving
A new story for our lives
A new truth for our lies
Instead of medicating and burying the pain
We face our pain and begin to heal
We are called forth into the light like Lazarus from the tomb
God rescues us from the grave of our downfall and disease

How do we respond to the grace of God’s transforming action in our lives?

Psalm 107:21-22 NIV
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind
Let them sacrifice thank-offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy

Gathering together for worship and testimony are mile-markers on the path of recovery
Receiving and offering prayers of thanksgiving
Receiving and offering songs of celebration and joy
Receiving and offering the ongoing testimony of God through scripture
Receiving and offering the the ongoing testimony of God’s healing power in our lives
Receiving and offering support to one another in word and deed
In short, celebrating and sharing what we have found in our faithful God

Prayer: Shine Jesus Shine
CCLI Song # 30426
Graham Kendrick © 1987 Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

Lord the light of Your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining;
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us,
Set us free by the truth You now bring us,
Shine on me, Shine on me.

Lord, I come into Your awesome presence
From the shadows into Your radiance;
By the blood I may enter Your brightness,
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness.
Shine on me, Shine on me.

As we gaze on Your kingly brightness
So our faces display Your likeness,
Ever changing from glory to glory,
Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story.
Shine on me, shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory;
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
Flood the nations with grace and mercy;
Send forth Your Word, Lord and let there be light.

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For more information on Christian Recovery Programs, check out Celebrate Recovery. If you live in the Sarasota, Florida area, know you have help and support in many congregations, including Trinity United Methodist Church where I serve as pastor.

Psalm 107, The Path of Addiction and Recovery © 2015 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
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