Remembering His Faithfulness: Lessons from Psalm 106

Learning and Remembering for Ourselves.

Bible Passage: Psalm 106

Summary: Psalm 106 recounts Israel's history of rebellion against God, contrasting their unfaithfulness with God's enduring mercy and faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering God's past works and responding in obedience.

Teaching: This sermon teaches the significance of historical memory in the life of faith. It highlights that forgetting God's provisions can lead to spiritual decline, whereas recalling His mercies can renew our commitment to Him.

Psalm 106:1-12

Perhaps begin with God’s praise and highlight His mighty acts of deliverance, paralleling Christ's ultimate deliverance through the cross. Suggest recounting God’s faithful deeds in our own lives to strengthen faith and ignite praise. Encourage the congregation to start their reflection with gratitude, reminding them that in Christ, God's faithfulness culminates in salvation.

1. Peril of Forgetfulness

Psalm 106:13-23

Consider pointing out Israel's forgetfulness and rebellion after experiencing God's deliverance. This could reflect the human tendency to stray despite blessings. Relate this to how Christ’s sacrifice is often underappreciated in our lives, prompting a call to renew our gratitude and commitment.

2. Perils of Distrust

Psalm 106:24-33

You could stress the consequences of rejecting God's provision, drawing a parallel to rejecting Christ’s lordship. Elaborate how distrust leads to spiritual defeat, while Christ offers renewed life. Encourage reflection on moments of doubt and a call to trust in Christ’s provision fully.

3. Promise of Persistent Mercy

Psalm 106:34-48

Maybe conclude with the restoration offered by God’s persistent mercy despite Israel’s continued failure. Emphasize that in Christ, God’s mercy is fully realized and available today. Invite the audience to recommit to obedience, leaning on the grace and faithfulness of Jesus as a source of enduring hope.

The Forgotten Stories: A Call to Remembrance in Psalm 106

Bible Passage: Psalm 106

Summary: Psalm 106 serves as a historical reflection on Israel's journey, detailing their repeated failures and God's unwavering faithfulness. It functions as a communal confession, reminding us of the importance of storytelling in faith, where remembering God’s past deliverance fortifies our current hope and faithfulness.

Application: This passage encourages believers to engage in the practice of remembering God’s past interventions in their lives to strengthen their faith during trials. By sharing personal testimonies and reflecting on God’s goodness, the community can find encouragement and a renewed sense of hope in facing current challenges.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that storytelling and remembrance are vital to spiritual vitality. By grasping our history with God, we become equipped to navigate our present and future with faith and assurance. It emphasizes the need for a community that recalls God's acts of mercy and faithfulness, fostering growth and collective perseverance.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the narrative of the Scriptures, Christ is the ultimate embodiment of God's mercy and faithfulness. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He fulfills the true story of Israel’s redemption and serves as the key to understanding the broader narrative of grace throughout history.

Application

1. Praise for Past Promises.

Psalm 106:1–5 ESV

Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise? Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times! Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people; help me when you save them, that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance.

Psalm 77:11 ESV

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

Our struggle against forgetfulness can be transformed into strength through communal remembrance of God’s faithfulness; sharing our stories ignites hope and fosters a resilient faith community.

2. Confession of Forgetfulness and Repentance.

Psalm 106:6–23 ESV

Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness. Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea. Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power. He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry, and he led them through the deep as through a desert. So he saved them from the hand of the foe and redeemed them from the power of the enemy. And the waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left. Then they believed his words; they sang his praise. But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert; he gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them. When men in the camp were jealous of Moses and Aaron, the holy one of the Lord, the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. Fire also broke out in their company; the flame burned up the wicked. They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a metal image. They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea. Therefore he said he would destroy them— had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them.

This section serves as a potent reminder of humanity’s tendencies to forget God's works despite His gracious acts. Here, collective confession acknowledges Israel's repeated shortcomings, highlighting the need to reflect honestly on our own failings. This challenges us to embrace humility, seeing our past mistakes in light of God's mercy, and encourages transparency in sharing communal struggles to invite healing and growth.

3. Continued Covenant Commitment of God.

Psalm 106:24–46 ESV

Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in his promise. They murmured in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the Lord. Therefore he raised his hand and swore to them that he would make them fall in the wilderness, and would make their offspring fall among the nations, scattering them among the lands. Then they yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor, and ate sacrifices offered to the dead; they provoked the Lord to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them. Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was stayed. And that was counted to him as righteousness from generation to generation forever. They angered him at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account, for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips. They did not destroy the peoples, as the Lord commanded them, but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did. They served their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood. Thus they became unclean by their acts, and played the whore in their deeds. Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against his people, and he abhorred his heritage; he gave them into the hand of the nations, so that those who hated them ruled over them. Their enemies oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their power. Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity. Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry. For their sake he remembered his covenant, and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love. He caused them to be pitied by all those who held them captive.

4. Pursuit of Praise to God.

Psalm 106:47–48 ESV

Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord!

How this passage could point to Christ: Throughout the Scriptures, Christ is the ultimate display of God's faithfulness. In Him, we see the fulfillment of God's promises and the grace that overcomes our unfaithfulness, offering us redemption and reconciliation.

Application: This Psalm encourages us to reflect on our own lives, acknowledge our failures, and recognize God's continued grace. In times of doubt or distress, remembering God's faithfulness can strengthen our faith and lead us to a more obedient walk with Him.

Christians remember the good things that God has done for us in several ways, many of which are rooted in scripture, tradition, and personal devotion. Here are some of the most common methods:

A. Prayer and Thanksgiving: Christians often thank God in prayer for specific blessings, both big and small. This regular habit of gratitude keeps God's goodness in mind.

B. Reading the Bible: The Bible is full of reminders of God’s faithfulness, from Old Testament stories like the Exodus to New Testament teachings about Jesus. Reading scripture helps believers reflect on God's past acts.

C. Worship Services: Weekly church gatherings often include songs, sermons, and testimonies that highlight what God has done, both in scripture and in the lives of believers.

D. Journaling or Testimonies: Many Christians keep journals where they record answered prayers or moments when they felt God’s presence. Sharing testimonies with others also reinforces memory and faith.

E. Sacraments and Rituals: Practices like Communion (The Lord's Supper) are specifically designed to help Christians “do this in remembrance” of Jesus and his sacrifice (Luke 22:19).

F. Celebrating Christian Holidays: Events like Easter and Christmas help Christians recall and celebrate key moments of God's action in history.

G. Memorizing Scripture: Many believers memorize Bible verses to carry reminders of God's promises and works with them daily.