Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still, yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Psalm 106:1-12 (NRSV)

Praise the LORD!
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Who can utter the mighty doings of the LORD,
or declare all his praise?

Happy are those who observe justice,
who do righteousness at all times.
Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people;
help me when you deliver them;
that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
that I may glory in your heritage.

Both we and our ancestors have sinned;
we have committed iniquity, have done wickedly.
Our ancestors, when they were in Egypt,
did not consider your wonderful works;
they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love,
but rebelled against the Most High at the Red Sea.

Yet he saved them for his name’s sake,
so that he might make known his mighty power.
He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry;
he led them through the deep as through a desert.
So he saved them from the hand of the foe,
and delivered them from the hand of the enemy.

The waters covered their adversaries;
not one of them was left.
Then they believed his words;
they sang his praise.

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Reflect

Psalm 105 is a history of God’s salvation beginning with the calling of Abraham and the deliverance of his descendants, moving forward to the time the psalm was written. In comparison, Psalm 106 is a history of Israel’s continuous rebellion and disregard for divine love. In the midst of these histories, the psalmist (v. 4-5) prays for divine favor and deliverance.

Key words are located in verse 3 of the psalm – “at all times.” The psalmist’s phrase focuses on an essential element of discipleship – Godly living is a full-time task. An hour of worship on Sunday and another hour of Bible study during the week are not the goals of Christianity; they are stepping stones to understanding what it means to follow the Christ. They are opportunities for God to clarify his message to us.

Englebert Humperdink is a singer of romantic ballads. He sings, “Love me with all of your heart. Don’t give me your love for a moment, for an hour, love me always with every beat of your heart.” So it is in our relationship with God. Once Christians know God in Christ, we live for Him “at all times.” We do this, not to be accepted by him but because we are/have been accepted by him! For this acceptance, we “…give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.”(106:1)

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Pray

Loving God, you have demonstrated your love and faithfulness to your creation through the centuries. We love you because you loved us first. We are not capable of the perfect love that you show us. However, we pledge to love you at all times and in all ways to the best of our ability. Forgive us when we fail you and this pledge and continue to teach us through scripture how to love you better.

Go with God!