October 2, 2009

A PROMISE HELD TRUE

Psalm 105

Lindsey Nelson
Friday's Devo

October 2, 2009

Friday's Devo

October 2, 2009

Central Truth

Regardless of our circumstances, the Lord is worthy of our praise.

Key Verse | Psalm 105:2–4

Sing to him!
Make music to him!
Tell about all his miraculous deeds!
Boast about his holy name!
Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and the strength he gives!
Seek his presence continually!
(Psalm 105:2-4)

Psalm 105

Tell of All His Wondrous Works

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
    make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
    tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
Seek the LORD and his strength;
    seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
    his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
O offspring of Abraham, his servant,
    children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

He is the LORD our God;
    his judgments are in all the earth.
He remembers his covenant forever,
    the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
the covenant that he made with Abraham,
    his sworn promise to Isaac,
10  which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
    to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11  saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
    as your portion for an inheritance.”

12  When they were few in number,
    of little account, and sojourners in it,
13  wandering from nation to nation,
    from one kingdom to another people,
14  he allowed no one to oppress them;
    he rebuked kings on their account,
15  saying, “Touch not my anointed ones,
    do my prophets no harm!”

16  When he summoned a famine on the land
    and broke all supply 1 105:16 Hebrew staff of bread,
17  he had sent a man ahead of them,
    Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18  His feet were hurt with fetters;
    his neck was put in a collar of iron;
19  until what he had said came to pass,
    the word of the LORD tested him.
20  The king sent and released him;
    the ruler of the peoples set him free;
21  he made him lord of his house
    and ruler of all his possessions,
22  to bind 2 105:22 Septuagint, Syriac, Jerome instruct his princes at his pleasure
    and to teach his elders wisdom.

23  Then Israel came to Egypt;
    Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24  And the LORD made his people very fruitful
    and made them stronger than their foes.
25  He turned their hearts to hate his people,
    to deal craftily with his servants.

26  He sent Moses, his servant,
    and Aaron, whom he had chosen.
27  They performed his signs among them
    and miracles in the land of Ham.
28  He sent darkness, and made the land dark;
    they did not rebel 3 105:28 Septuagint, Syriac omit not against his words.
29  He turned their waters into blood
    and caused their fish to die.
30  Their land swarmed with frogs,
    even in the chambers of their kings.
31  He spoke, and there came swarms of flies,
    and gnats throughout their country.
32  He gave them hail for rain,
    and fiery lightning bolts through their land.
33  He struck down their vines and fig trees,
    and shattered the trees of their country.
34  He spoke, and the locusts came,
    young locusts without number,
35  which devoured all the vegetation in their land
    and ate up the fruit of their ground.
36  He struck down all the firstborn in their land,
    the firstfruits of all their strength.

37  Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold,
    and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.
38  Egypt was glad when they departed,
    for dread of them had fallen upon it.

39  He spread a cloud for a covering,
    and fire to give light by night.
40  They asked, and he brought quail,
    and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.
41  He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
    it flowed through the desert like a river.
42  For he remembered his holy promise,
    and Abraham, his servant.

43  So he brought his people out with joy,
    his chosen ones with singing.
44  And he gave them the lands of the nations,
    and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples' toil,
45  that they might keep his statutes
    and observe his laws.
Praise the LORD!

Footnotes

[1] 105:16 Hebrew staff
[2] 105:22 Septuagint, Syriac, Jerome instruct
[3] 105:28 Septuagint, Syriac omit not

Dive Deeper | Psalm 105

I love this psalm as it gives an amazing picture of the Lord’s faithfulness and how He always holds true to His promises. It begins by instructing us to always rejoice, praise Him, and tell others of His wondrous works. It also tells us to seek His presence and strength--continually.

This is so important, because our strength is limited. I know I quickly find myself running on fumes if I try to run on my own tank for too long. I end up frustrated because people aren't acting the way I want, circumstances aren't playing out the way I want, and my life isn’t quite as structured and perfect as I want. I want, I want, I want! Well, it’s not the Lord’s intention for me to spend all my energy "wanting." It’s His intention for me to seek HIM! And when I do, I find that He tells me He is in control, and I can rest in that. 

This psalm reminds us that the Lord does not forget us: “He always remembers his covenantal decree, the promise he made to a thousand generations . . . .” (verses 8-10) to deliver His people from Egypt. Promise fulfilled!

Therefore, when we hit hard times, we have to hold tight to the promise of our delivery out of our own “Egypt.” It seems impossible in the midst, but that’s why it’s important to cling to Him, seek, and rejoice. I find it easier to do as I have overcome some of my own struggles, addictions, and hurts, but it’s always a work in progress. My mind and heart need continual renewal from my flesh (Romans 12:1-2) to stay focused on the Lord. Furthermore, in Philippians, Paul instructs us not to be anxious about anything, but by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, to present our requests to God, so that we might rest in His peace, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). 

God’s promises are as true today as they were thousands of years ago. Remember, tell others, and rejoice in what He has done!

Discussion Questions

1. Are you filling your fuel tank, or is the Lord?

2. Do you have circumstances in your life that are overwhelming, where you find it hard to rejoice in what the Lord has done for you?  If so, try making a gratitude list. 

3. With whom have you shared the Lord’s miraculous works in your life? Who can you share with today?