REMEMBERING GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

Psalm 106 could well be titled “God’s Faithfulness to Unfaithful Israel.” It begins with praise to the Lord for His goodness, faithful love, and power. It then moves to confession of sin. The psalmist recognizes that despite God’s faithfulness to the people of Israel, they have repeatedly acted wickedly, seemingly forgetting His many acts of kindness toward them. But despite their ungodly behavior, God protected and preserved them — not due to their worthiness, but due to His character.

I find it so easy to find fault with Israel — to ask, “God just did something amazing for you. Don’t you remember? Why don’t you trust Him now?” But I have to be on guard, lest I follow Israel’s example.

Hundreds of years earlier, Moses had charged the people in Deuteronomy 8:2, “Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.” Similarly, I need to remember how the Lord has cared for me. He has done amazing things for me! Remembering that helps me trust God in my present situation, and gives me confidence for the future.

Although times may have changed, the human heart hasn’t — and neither has God’s character! The One Who was faithful to Israel is faithful to you and me, too.