Some? Many or Few?

Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. 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. Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits’ end. (Psalm 107:4-5, 10-11, 17-18, 23, 27, NIV 1984).

My Musings – It is important to remember the genre that the Psalms are written. Poetry, so that much that is recorded is to be understood figuratively. With that understanding, here are my thoughts.

Some [Many] contend – That there are many paths to God. To an eternal “city where they [can] settle.” Where they can be freed from the “iron chains” of “suffering.” To put the loathing of their “iniquities” and “affliction” behind them and escape the “gates of death.” Deliverance from their wandering when they come to “their wits’ end.“

The reality is – There is only one path to God. All other paths take them reeling and staggering “like drunken men” through the “desert wastelands” that lead to “the gates of death” and separation from God, as “their lives [ebb] away.“

My Advice – “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.” (Psalm 107:6, 13, 19, and 28, NIV 1984). And how has “He delivered them?” The one true path. “Jesus [answers], ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” (John 14:6, NIV 1984).

“For wide [are] the [gates] and broad [are] the [paths] that [lead] to destruction, and many enter through [them]. But small is the gate and narrow the [path] that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13b-14, NIV 1984). The sum of the “some” and the “others” in Psalm 107, will be “many.”

“Enter through the narrow gate.” (Matthew 7:13a, NIV 1984). Only the one narrow path will lead you to the narrow gate. Jesus said, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John 10:9, NIV 1984). Destruction or salvation? Depends on the path you choose. Choose your path carefully. “You know the way.” (John 14:4, NIV 1984).