SCRIPTURE: Psalm 106
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold. In the desert they gave in to their craving; in the wilderness they put God to the test. [Psalm 106:13-14]
The psalmist reviews their history as a nation, and notices again and again how the people forget about God and His blessings, and put Him to the test.
They did not wait for His plan to unfold – I love that line.
It makes me think of Jesus being offered power and riches in the wilderness by the devil, and Jesus refuses to put God to the test.
He chooses God’s plan for Himself, even though it is a longer, harder path, because it is far superior to any shortcut that Satan or sin have to offer.
Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” [Matthew 4:5-7]
Jesus is hungry, the devil urges Him to use His power to make bread; Jesus is standing on the temple with the crowds watching, the devil urges Him to jump down, and trust God’s power to save Him; Jesus sees all the power and glory of the nations, and the devil offers it to Him the easy way – no cross, just a quick and easy bow to him.
But Jesus does not forget Who God is, or what He has done for Him.
Jesus prefers to wait for God’s plan to unfold.
In the desert He does not give in to His craving, He does not put God to the test.
The sad story of God’s people throughout history is that every time things get easy they forget about God, and every time things get hard they forget about God.
This is true for everyone, including me and you and the most spiritual person on earth.
We are all prone to wander, we are all inclined to leave the God we need.
God allows us both seasons of abundance and seasons of scarcity, to see what lives in our heart and to remind us of our need for Him.
God allows us to choose what is not right or good, to teach us to know better.
So he gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease among them. [Psalm 106:15]
And when they get into trouble, even though we often still forget or blame God, He still steps in repeatedly to help us… like Israel our lives are a testimony to God’s mercy!
Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin. [Psalm 106:43]
Though we are inclined to wander, may this verse not be our epitaph.
May it not be said of me that I am bent on rebellion.
Rather, may I learn the lessons God and life teaches me, and may I run to Him for mercy and help, knowing that He will rescue and restore me, if I come to Him!
PRAYER:
Lord, may my final epitaph say ‘inclined towards mercy’ rather than ‘he was bent on rebellion’.
Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord. See all what He has accomplished and done for us? For me? Blessed is he who act justly and do what is right. But . . .
As was shown in the reading, the people did not remember the miracles, nor the mighty acts of God. They rebelled time after time and yet . . . the Lord remained their God. They were His people.
Open our eyes Lord. Turn our hearts to You that we do see Your presence each and every day. I need to walk in Your Way and notmine. Help me to see the ‘memory stones’ so that I too tell of the wonderful deeds You have done in my life. I need You every hour otherwise I too am like the wayward people. Lead me and guide me in the Way I must go for Life everlasting with You! Help me by Your Spirit to praise Your name always. Amen and amen.
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!
Refrain
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!