Divine Response To Human Unfaithfulness

, It is one of the thirteen “Maschil psalms” (psalms designed to give instruction). Also, it is one of the four “Historical psalms” (psalms tracing the history of Israel). It is the longest of the “Historical psalms” (, , , ).

God responds to the unfaithfulness of his people with punishment and mercy.

It is ascribed to Asaph, one of David’s three Chief Musicians (Choir-masters). Twelve psalms are ascribed to him.

God responds to the unfaithfulness of his people with punishment and mercy.

Probably it was written soon after the establishing of David as the king over all Israel (around 1000 b.c.). The psalm was written to warn Judah that the divine rejection visited upon Ephraim, the former leading tribe of all of the twelve tribes, would be visited upon Judah, the new leading tribe of all of the twelve tribes, if Judah followed the path of rebellion pursued by the former leading tribe. The history of all the tribes (and especially the history of Ephraim) from the exodus out of Egypt to the reign of David over the twelve tribes teemed with lessons which the Psalmist wished to impress upon the people of Judah, that they might profit from these lessons.

God responds to the unfaithfulness of his people with punishment and mercy.

How does God respond to human unfaithfulness?

God responds to the unfaithfulness of his people with punishment and mercy.

Let’s look at two tools God will use for His unfaithful people.

The Wrath of God

God will punish his people for their unfaithfulness to Him.

When he killed them speaks to God’s punishment of the Israelites situation in when they received the of the spies.

Their response to God’s wrath.

They look for God.

They repented, turning from their evil ways, to God

The seriously look for God in their lives.

They remembered God was their protection and savior.

When God punishes us, it has a way of bringing us back to Him.

Twin Towers

Family Deaths

Sickness and Disease

Financial Woes

Broken Relationships

These thing force us to remember what God is to us.

But t

If there be a man before me who says that the wrath of God is too heavy a punishment for his little sin, I ask him, if the sin be little, why does he not give it up?

The Fickleness of God’s People

The repentant spirit of God’s people was short lived.

They provoke God to do something through deception or persuasion.

They told an untruth, they pretended with the intent to deceive God with their speech.

Their hearts were not firm in the Lord.

They were not trusting in his covenant.

They were not genuine, they repented out of necessity and not out of steadfast loyalty and commitment to God.

Its amazing how we change

They repented out of fear of punishment than love of righteousness.

The Mercy of God

God will extend his mercy to His people because He compassionate.

He atoned, cleansed them from sin and the defilement of sin.

He pardoned them, forgave them.

He did not completely destroy them.

He turned away his anger

He didn’t stir up all of his fury.

2,200 Quotations from the Writings of Charles H. Spurgeon: Arranged Topically or Textually and Indexed by Subject, Scripture, and People Mercy

829God’s mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water, or deprive the sun of its light, or make space too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God.

Charles Spurgeon said, “God’s mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water or deprive the sun of its light, or make a sparrow too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God.

Let us learn to be sincere in our repentance. Let us stop running to God simply out of fear of our circumstances and come to Him out of a love for righteousness.

God has truly been merciful toward us. His mercy is greater than our sin.

Charles Spurgeon said, “God’s mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water or deprive the sun of its light, or make a sparrow too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God.