“Remember the Lord your God” is a theme throughout the Scriptures. Don’t forget God.
“He divided the sea and caused them to pass through; and He made the waters stand up like a heap. In the daytime also He led them with the cloud, and all the night with a light of fire. He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink in abundance like the depths.” [1]
The miracles God did to set people free from slavery are to be remembered to maintain our faith in His mighty power to help us today. He can split in two solid barriers before us. He can light up our night. He turn our rocks into water fountains.
Israel’s confidence in everything but God angered Him. “His anger came up against Israel, because they did not believe in God, and did not trust in His salvation.” [2]
In fact, until God took drastic action against them, they did neither sought nor remembered Him.
“When He slew them, then they sought Him; and they returned and sought earnestly for God. Then they remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God their Redeemer.” “Their heart was not steadfast with Him, nor were they faithful in His covenant. They did not remember His power: the day when He redeemed them from the enemy.” [3]
Thank God for bringing us back into relationship with Him whenever other interests try to replace Him. “He cast on them the fierceness of His anger, wrath, indignation, and trouble, by sending angels of destruction among them.” “He delivered His strength into captivity, and His glory into the enemy’s hand.” [4] These strong disciplines keep us on the narrow path that leads to eternal salvation. A temporary crisis that keeps us from an eternal crisis is a blessing.
Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. He leads us to green pastures and still waters. Jesus is referred to as the Son of David especially in the Gospel of Matthew. Psalm 78 concludes on a happy note because God gave His servant David to shepherd His people. This conclusion is pointing us to Jesus Messiah, the Son of David. His kingdom has no end! His skillful pierced hands paid the price for our atonement so that we can be in fellowship with God forever.
“He also chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. So He shepherded them according to the integrity of His heart and guided them by the skillfulness of His hands.” [5]
What did Paul write to the Romans about Jesus? He wrote, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” [6]
Zeal for God is of no value if it does not lead to a right standing with Him. In fact, misplaced zeal actually infuriates God. God wants us to be zealous for His Son Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ is God’s way of bestowing righteousness on us.
“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” [7]
God made salvation simple. Don’t make it difficult! Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus. Believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
The main thing is to keep our faith in God strong. How do we do that? By remembering the mighty deeds of God on our behalf. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.’ [8] Pray that you will thirst and hunger for God. Pray that He will fill that void with His Word.
The Lord says, “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me. But to Israel He says: all day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” [9]
We don’t want God to shake the dust off His sandals and leave us behind to find others who will embrace and appreciate Him do we?
“Lord, we remember You today! Thank You so much for the miracles that You have done for us. Thank You for sending Your Beloved Son Jesus into the world to save us. Please be glorified in us today.”
[1] Psalm 78:13-15
[2] Psalm 78:21-22
[3] Psalm 78:34-35, 41-42
[4] Psalm 78:49, 61
[5] Psalm 78:70-72
[6] Romans 10:1-4
[7] Romans 10:9-10
[8] Romans 10:17
[9] Romans 10:20-21
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