1 Samuel 2:22-4:22 ~ John 5:24-47 ~ Psalm 106:1-12 ~ Proverbs 14:30-31
Saturday, May 8th, full One Year Bible readings:
1 Samuel 5:1-7:17 ~ John 6:1-21 ~ Psalm 106:13-31 ~ Proverbs 14:32-33
Sunday, May 10th, full One Year Bible readings:
1 Samuel 8:1-9:27 ~ John 6:22-42 ~ Psalm 106:32-48 ~ Proverbs 14:34-35
Psalm 106 is another Historical Psalm that chronicles not only the provision God made for the nations of Israel, but many of the sins and failures of the people. The essence of the 48 verse Psalm is captured in the opening eight verses.
1 Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.2 Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD
or fully declare his praise?3 Blessed are they who maintain justice,
who constantly do what is right.4 Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people,
come to my aid when you save them,5 that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may share in the joy of your nation
and join your inheritance in giving praise.6 We have sinned, even as our fathers did;
we have done wrong and acted wickedly.7 When our fathers were in Egypt,
they gave no thought to your miracles;
they did not remember your many kindnesses,
and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.8 Yet he saved them for his name's sake,
to make his mighty power known.
Can you feel the emphasis and weight of verse eight? "Yet He saved them for His name's sake, to make His mighty power known." I love the fact that both verse eight and verse forty five are in the same psalm. It encourages me to think that the psalmist was able to rightly understand or at least find a balance in the understanding of the purpose of God's love and mercy.
8 Yet he saved them for his name's sake,
to make his mighty power known.45 for their sake he remembered his covenant
and out of his great love he relented.
Each of these verses offer a reason for God's salvation and love. Verse eight says it is for God's sake, while verse forty five says it is for our sake. I believe they are both true, but should fall in that same order: for God's sake, and for our sake.
While it is likely true that there are far smarter people who disagree on this subject, it is my understanding and conviction that God offers salvation first and foremost for the purpose of His glory! I believe His love for us is the second reason he offers us salvation.
May I never elevate myself to the centerpiece of the purpose of salvation. It would be folly for someone to think I am someone great in place of thinking God is great.
It's like transferring value incorrectly. Humanly speaking, if someone pays $10,000 dollars for something, they generally think it is worth $10,000 dollars. But, just because Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, died on the cross for me, that does not mean I was worth it. In fact, He is the only one worth anything, and my only worth is found in Him and should be offered to Him.
As you read through this amazing psalm over the next couple of days, thank and praise God for His forgiveness and mercy. He forgives us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to display His glory AND His love!
For more on the significance of the Historical Psalms read my post from last Tuesday on Psalm 105.
1 comment:
Love this..thank you
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