READING: Psalms 106-107
The older I get, I find myself becoming more forgetful. I don’t think it’s a trend (yet), but it happens — enough that I’m intentionally working harder to write myself reminders. Thus far, the reminders have worked. I don’t think I’ve forgotten anything important . . . as far as I can remember.
The story for the Hebrews was quite different, though. Somehow, they lived like they had forgotten the blessings of God, even when His blessings were as powerful as delivering His people from Egypt. The psalmist said of them that “they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses” (Psalm 106:7). Even after God forgave them for being forgetful, “they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold” (Psalm 106:15). They even went so far as to worship a golden calf as “they forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt” (Psalm 106:21).
Seems amazing, doesn’t it? God works powerfully in our midst, and still our troubles and disappointments cause us to forget what He’s done. We get so caught up in today’s trials that we forget that God has always delivered us in the past. Our present-tense circumstances, when they are rough, have a way of erasing yesterday’s blessings and robbing us of tomorrow’s faith. And we, too, forget God.
Here’s something more amazing, though. When God would have been justified leaving His people in their sin, He responded to the cries they spoke in desperation: “Yet he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented” (Psalm 106:44-45). When they had forgotten Him, God did not forget His covenant with His people. He kept His word to an unfaithful people. That’s just the kind of God He is.
ACTION STEPS:
- Make a brief list of God’s blessings in your life today. Remember Him and His mighty works on your behalf.
- Sing “Amazing Grace” today as you think of these blessings, especially when you consider times when you’ve not been faithful to Him.
PRAYER: “Lord, I’ll never fully understand why You hold on to me when I don’t always hold on to You. The words ‘Amazing Grace’ really do have a sweet sound to them.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Psalms 108-114
