July 31, 2009
HE Is . . . faithful
Psalm 78:21-39
Lori Kjeldgaard
Central Truth
God is faithful to His people despite our faithlessness to Him.
Key Verse | Psalm 78:37–38
They were not really committed to him,
and they were unfaithful to his covenant.
Yet he is compassionate.
He forgives sin and does not destroy.
He often holds back his anger,
and does not stir up his fury.
(Psalm 78:37-38)
Psalm 78:21-39
21
Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath;
a fire was kindled against Jacob;
his anger rose against Israel,
22
because they did not believe in God
and did not trust his saving power.
23
Yet he commanded the skies above
and opened the doors of heaven,
24
and he rained down on them manna to eat
and gave them the grain of heaven.
25
Man ate of the bread of the angels;
he sent them food in abundance.
26
He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
and by his power he led out the south wind;
27
he rained meat on them like dust,
winged birds like the sand of the seas;
28
he let them fall in the midst of their camp,
all around their dwellings.
29
And they ate and were well filled,
for he gave them what they craved.
30
But before they had satisfied their craving,
while the food was still in their mouths,
31
the anger of God rose against them,
and he killed the strongest of them
and laid low the young men of Israel.
32
In spite of all this, they still sinned;
despite his wonders, they did not believe.
33
So he made their days vanish like
1
78:33
Hebrew in
a breath,
2
78:33
Or vapor
and their years in terror.
34
When he killed them, they sought him;
they repented and sought God earnestly.
35
They remembered that God was their rock,
the Most High God their redeemer.
36
But they flattered him with their mouths;
they lied to him with their tongues.
37
Their heart was not steadfast toward him;
they were not faithful to his covenant.
38
Yet he, being compassionate,
atoned for their iniquity
and did not destroy them;
he restrained his anger often
and did not stir up all his wrath.
39
He remembered that they were but flesh,
a wind that passes and comes not again.
Dive Deeper | Psalm 78:21-39
As I was reading this section of Scripture, my thoughts turned toward Israel. How could they be so blind to what God was doing? Could they not see, touch, and even feel His presence, His guidance, and His provision for them? How could they ever turn their backs on a God this gracious and caring . . . the very God that created a covenant with them? Look around, Israel, and see that your God is there. He loves you, and you're experiencing what only He can give to you!
And then, I stopped. How many times has my response toward God been exactly the same as Israel's? How many times have I chosen not to acknowledge His provision, His presence, and His work in my own life, as well as the lives of those around me? There have been too many times throughout my life when despite His faithfulness to me, I chose to be faithless to Him. Yet, He continually pursued me, loved me, and showed me who He is. He is the faithful God, and He will never abandon His people. How can I not sing His praises and fall on my knees to worship Him?
My God amazes me with His faithfulness. He is continually pursuing His people, even when we completely turn our backs on Him. Israel decided to not believe God nor trust Him, despite the manna and the abundance of food He provided for them. Like a good father, He was angry at the response of His children. Yet, his anger did not determine His covenant with Israel. Because He is compassionate, He forgave Israel. Because He is compassionate, He forgives you and me and is continually pursuing us. He loves us with an everlasting love. He is faithful. May we be people who faithfully walk with Him, acknowledging His work in our lives and in the world around us.
Discussion Questions
1. How do you identify with Israel's response to God in this section of Scripture?
2. What is your response to His faithfulness in your life today?
3. List ways you have experienced His faithfulness and compassion.