Day 28
Read Psalm 106
Yesterday Psalm 105 explored the history of the people of Israel from the call of Abraham to the Exodus out of Egypt. Psalm 106 picks up at the Exodus from Egypt and then traces Israel’s history up through the exile. It is a poem (and a history) about a faithful God who rescues His people in spite of their unfaithfulness.
There is an interesting play on the two concepts of remembering and forgetting. Several times the Psalmist notes that the Israelites “forgot” what God had done. In verse 7, “they gave no thoughts to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses.” In verse 13, “But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his counsel.” In verse 21, “They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt.” The people forgot. They forgot who God was and therefore they forgot who they were.
The Jewish scholar Abraham Heschel once noted that “To be Jewish is to remember.” The identity of the people of God is intimately connected to what God has done for them throughout history. Along with Heschel, I would argue that to be a follower of Jesus is to remember. When we forget who God is and what He has done for us in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ then we quickly forget who we are.
The good news is that God doesn’t wait for us to remember. In verse 44, the Psalmist says, “But 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.” God remembers His commitment for us, even when we forget it. Praise the LORD.
Prayer
Spend some time thinking through the “mighty deeds” God has done in your life. Thank Him for them. Remember the great thing God has done for us in Jesus that we are preparing for this Lent.
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