Learning From History Is Important and Valuable

Sep 20

Sep 20 Learning From History Is Important and Valuable

Devos and Studies, Psalms Devos_Studies, God's Word

Cyclical Nature of Life and History

Life and history are cyclical. All of Creation reminds us of the cyclical nature of life on earth. As Solomon wrote, and Shakespeare repeated, "There's nothing new under the sun."

What's the purpose of this repetition and the cyclical nature of life? Is there a purpose for it? Why did God implant this into His Creation or did He? Psalm 106 reflects the beauty and tragedy of the repetitive course of life and history.

Many national holidays, including Memorial Day (in America), are days to remember and reflect on our history and heritage. Is this just a tired tradition or is it a valuable reminder? It can be both, but it ought to be the latter.

Psalm 106 reminded Israel of their history and heritage, which is based on God's favor and faithfulness. God birthed Israel for a purpose—to be a people that would be a shining light in the midst of the world's darkness.

God (the Father) sent His Son Jesus to liberate all people from the tyranny of sin. He established the Church as His witness of the Lord’s redemption for all. The Lord’s church would include those with Jewish heritage and any other nation of people who believe and trust in the Lord Jesus.

Just as Israel was to be a light to all other nations of the One, True, and Living God, the Church is also to be a light to those under the darkness of sin (Philippians 2:14-16). We, the Church, also need to learn from history so we don’t repeat the same mistakes the psalmist speaks of in Psalm 106.

Scripture

Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his mercy endures forever.
Who can speak about all the mighty things the Lord has done? Who can announce all the things for which he is worthy of praise?
Blessed are those who defend justice and do what is right at all times.
Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people.
Come to help me with your salvation so that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones, find joy in our people’s happiness, and brag with the people who belong to you.
We have sinned, and so did our ancestors. We have done wrong. We are guilty. [vss 1-6]
When our ancestors were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles.
They did not remember your numerous acts of mercy, so they rebelled….
They quickly forgot what he did. They did not wait for his advice….
At Mount Horeb they made a statue of a calf. They worshiped an idol made of metal.
They traded their glorious God for the statue of a bull that eats grass.
They forgot God, their savior, the one who did spectacular things in Egypt….
He rescued them many times, but they continued to plot rebellion against him and to sink deeper because of their sin. [vss 7, 13, 19-21, 43]
Rescue us, O Lord our God, and gather us from the nations
so that we may give thanks to your holy name and make your praise our glory.
Thanks be to the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting.
Let all the people say amen. Hallelujah! [vss 47-48]

(Psalms 106:1-6, 7, 13, 19-21, 43, 47-48 GW) [Context– Psalm 106]

Psalm 106

Reflections and Insights

The symmetry of this psalm reminds us of God's faithfulness and humanity's rebellion toward God. It is both a prayer and historical reflection intended to bring correction and direction to motivate God's people to pray for their nation.

The psalmist reminds God's people of His faithfulness to them and their fickle nature. He reminds them about Moses and how he prayed for mercy for them despite their rebellion.

Further along in Psalm 106, we see another Jewish leader named Phineas who also intercedes between God and His rebellious people to prevent their destruction—a just judgment they brought upon themselves.

This should serve as a warning and reminder for us in America, especially those who claim to be followers of Jesus and believers in God.

It is every believer’s responsibility to intercede—to stand in the gap between our nation and God—to plead for God's mercy. When we embrace the culture around us and fall prey to its influence, it causes us to forget His faithfulness and ignore Him.

When a nation allows the darkness of a self-indulgent culture to displace the light of truth, righteousness, and justice, we are all guilty. This is the message of this psalm to us now—we need to remember God's favor and faithfulness in our history and heritage.

The psalmist sought God for his people to return to God in repentance so that the Lord would return Israel back to its promised land after their exile from it.

I pray for integrity and faithfulness—for God's people and for our leaders—that our hearts would turn to the Lord and remember His faithfulness and mercy.

Reflection—

It is every believer’s responsibility to intercede—to stand in the gap between our nation and God—to plead for God's mercy. How are you praying for your nation, your people, and your leaders?

Prayer Focus—

When you find yourself caught up with pleasing yourself and ignoring God, it’s time to stop, repent, and return to Him. To prevent this from happening, ask the Lord daily to remind you of His faithfulness in your life.

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