November 24, 2023
Topic: UNDERSTANDING DIVINE STRATEGY (II)
Text: Psalm 106
Memory Verse: “He saved them from the hand of him who hated them and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. The waters covered their enemies; there was not one of them left”. – (Psalm 106:10-11).
Yesterday, God’s commitment to faithfully fulfil His covenant to us was given as a reason to be grateful and thankful to Him, while understanding critical strategies He adopts in turning impossibilities to possibilities. This morning, The Psalmist continued his contemplation in the Psalm above, noting God’s show of mercy and forgiveness to His people when they sinned and He, rescuing them in many miraculous ways in order to faithfully fulfil His covenant to them. This involved strategy as would be seen, and so should not be taken for granted but should rather lead us like David, to burst out into singing, worship and thanksgiving.
Consider the sin of idolatry at Horeb (Psalm 106:19-23; Exo 32:1-6). The critical points to note here are, “they forgot” (Psalm 106:21) because of a “little delay” (Exo 32:1). Isn’t that our attitude? Because of a moment of delay to our prayers, do we not resort to self – help, as did the people to our own ‘molded calf’? Yet, God through the intervention of this very dear committed leader; Moses, spared their lives. It is worthwhile to note the content of Moses’ plea to God! (Exo 32:31-32)
Consider also the Sexual immoralities and idolatry to Baal of Peor, the god of the Moabites (Psalm 106:28-31; Number 25:1-3 & 7-9). God will never excuse joining with unbelievers to do evil if He never excused the idolatry spiced with sexual immorality and all forms of unrighteousness of the Israelites. Paul cried out, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers…. Therefore, come out from among them….” (2Cor 6:14-17). It will take a zealous intervention of Phinehas (the grandson of Aaron) to turn back God’s wrath. Phinehas, for this action was promised eternal High priesthood in the lineage of Aaron for making “atonement” which is a typology of what Jesus will later do (Number 25:10-13).
For this sin and other rebellious actions of the children of Israel during and after the travels, David recounted God’s strategy of fulfilling the promise by forgiveness. Dear reader, ought you to not recount the many ways you have strayed, yet in love He called you? Ought you to not remember in your lowest moment, how you doubted Him and angered Him in your unbelief? If He rescued the people of old by this strategy, He is ready to do so for you – even now! He never removed the Red Sea obstacle but proved His power despite this.
PRAYERS: Like David’s honest cry, “I have sinned”, I confess this day too my sin for forgetting the many rescues from situations, friends and foes alike that You had done for me and for never considering that You are working out my good through all these situations. Help me to understand that even silence, delays and challenges are part of your strategies to fulfil Your good purpose in my life. Thank You Jesus.