Psalm 111 – A 'We Get To' Psalm (Part 5)
Posted on November 13, 2017 by Graeme Wilson in Freedom Fighters
We have been digging into Psalm 111, and today I want to look at verses 4-6.
“He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord! He gives food to those who fear Him. He always remembers His covenant. He has shown His great power to His people by giving them the lands of other nations.”
My point today is this: WE GET TO REMEMBER ALL HE HAS DONE! Part of the Jewish tradition and narrative is to retell the story over and over again at how God worked in their lives. It took place as they celebrated the feasts and festivals, including Passover. It took place as fathers and mothers shared the story with their kids.
Think about the many different remembrance touchpoints:
Abraham built altars, and he went back to some of those altars as a reminder.
Joshua had the leaders of the Tribes place memorial stones in the river so that there was that continual reminder of God’s care and provision for the children of Israel.
Even the very celebration of the Lord’s Supper, whatever your tradition, is a way for us to be reminded of what took place on the cross for us.
Maybe, just maybe, we need these physical reminders because of our spiritual amnesia. For some of us – it’s not just chronic amnesia – it’s terminal.
How quickly we forget. God does something extraordinary in answer to our prayers, and five minutes later we are grumbling and complaining. I often say we forget what we should remember and remember what we should forget.
When was the last time you remembered how gracious and merciful (vs.4) he has been in your life? Not just once – but how many times? Dr. Warren Wiersbe says that “God in His mercy doesn’t give us what we DO deserve while God in His grace gives us what we DON’T deserve.” Ouch!
When was the last time you sat down and thought through the mercy and grace of God in your life?
Verse 5 reminds us that He ALWAYS remembers His covenant! Not sometimes. Not most times. ALWAYS!!! There have been times in my life where I made a promise to do something – with my wife – my kids – my staff. My intentions were good. I did mean it at the time. But then I forgot. Oh, how painful it is to be reminded that you blew it yet again.
But our God ALWAYS remembers His covenant. Every time you see a rainbow in the sky, it is a reminder of the covenant that God made with Noah that would never destroy the world again with a flood. HIS PROMISES ARE FOR SURE, FOR CERTAIN!!!
So what do you need to remember today? Might be good to write it down in your journal. Maybe it would be cool to share it with your kids and grandkids. And I would love to hear from you: bwelte@americaskeswick.org.
Next week we will unpack Psalm 111:7-9. Until then,
Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks!
Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick
Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.
The Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 16-19| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here
Think About This: A private relationship with God is the greatest essential element of spiritual fitness. — Oswald Chambers
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:15
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