Pastor Mike preaches about how God uses both desert seasons and deep pain to draw his people to cry out to him, trust his redeeming love, and find lasting hope at the cross instead of in shallow happiness.
Give Thanks Because God Is Good (Psalm 107:1-3)
Pastor Mike shares how God moved powerfully at Mount Gilead as students responded to the gospel, then points to Psalm 107 to show that believers can give thanks in hard times because God is always good and his steadfast love never ends. True thankfulness flows from seeing the worth of Christ, whose faithfulness outlasts every circumstance.
Crying Out In Desert Places (Psalm 107:4-9)
Using Israel’s wandering and the story from Exodus 17, Pastor Mike explains that God sometimes leads his people into dry places so they will cry out to him and see his provision. He urges the church, especially in the grief of losing Pastor Ross, to be a people of prayer who want God himself more than comfort or ease and who boldly share their redemption stories with a hurting world.
Redemption In Real Suffering (Psalm 107:10-15)
Pastor Mike traces rebellion from Genesis 3 to the cross, showing that Jesus took our sin so we could have true freedom and fellowship with God. He tells stories of an abandoned boy, a betrayed wife, and his own sorrow over Pastor Ross to show that shallow slogans cannot heal deep wounds, but the cross can. Christ is the faithful Father and Bridegroom who brings sweet redemption now and perfect joy in eternity.
Practical Takeaways:
Thank God for who he is, not just for what he gives.
Cry out to the Lord in dry or painful seasons and trust that he is present.
Share how Christ has redeemed you so others can find hope.
Hold fast to God’s word in a culture that treats words lightly.
Let both grief and joy drive you back to the cross and the hope of heaven.
