He found similarity in the pitch of the gentle hills, the steeple of a distant church, the lay of a neglected cornfield with a gully started at its lower end, gradually carrying away the fertile topsoil with every rain.”
–Elmer Kelton (Dark Thicket)
“Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”
“Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”
–Isaiah 55:6-7 (NKJV)
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God does become angry. Much of His wrath was placed upon Jesus at the cross, but what of those that refuse that tremendous gift? What of His people who turn from Him, those who practice abominable things in His sight? Can they still be called His people? George Wood said regarding this portion of Psalm 106, “God wanted His people to be fulfilled. They chose instead to reject His love. When you do that, here’s what happens: You fall away from freedom into bondage and oppression, and ‘waste away in your sin.'” A person in this state has disinherited himself.
40 — Therefore the wrath of the LORD was kindled against His people, so that He abhorred His own inheritance.
41 — And He gave them into the hand of the Gentiles, and those who hated them ruled over them.
42 — Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
43 — Many times He delivered them; but they rebelled in their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
44 — Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, when He heard their cry;
45 — And for their sake He remembered His covenant, and relented according to the multitude of His mercies.
46 — He also made them to be pitied by all those who carried them away captive.
47 — Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the Gentiles, to give thanks to Your holy name, to triumph in Your praise.
48 — Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the LORD! (NKJV)
The people were bent on “doing their own thing” or “what was right in their own eyes.” We see that today in how many so-called Christians are interpreting the Word of God in their own way. Making it mean what they think, practicing things contrary to the teachings of God. When God’s people rebel it brings serious consequences. I look at the history of our country and think of the many blessings that God has bestowed upon us. I think of the many times He has delivered us and brought aid to us. But now… Now we’re are turning our backs on His Word and doing what pleases us.
However, God will hear the cry of the faithful. He will rescue His people, His faithful people and have mercy on them. Verse 47, is a key — “Save us” and then there is thanksgiving and praise. Derek Kidner wrote, “Penitence is never out of place in praise, nor praise in an act of penitence.” Remember, nothing can separate us from the love of God–that is His people, His children. But we must note that sin does separate us from God. His love is still there and He waits to hear the sound of “Save us”.
Nothing can separate us from His love except when we turn our backs on Him and even then He still loves us. The gift of His Son is still there calling out. His mercy, His lovingkindness endures forever, so perhaps this is the day that you need to call out–“Save me.” When we call out we must acknowledge our sin (oh, how this is so much against today’s teaching), there must be confession of sin, and then the asking of forgiveness. I would encourage you to go back and read through Psalm 106 again. Note how God is there to redeem and restore not only a nation such as Israel, but each one of our lives as well.
“And I, poor sinner, cast it away;
Lived for the toil or pleasure of each day,
As if no Christ had shed His precious blood,
As if I owed no homage to my God.”
–Henry W. Baker
————————————–
God does become angry. Much of His wrath was placed upon Jesus at the cross, but what of those that refuse that tremendous gift? What of His people who turn from Him, those who practice abominable things in His sight? Can they still be called His people? George Wood said regarding this portion of Psalm 106, “God wanted His people to be fulfilled. They chose instead to reject His love. When you do that, here’s what happens: You fall away from freedom into bondage and oppression, and ‘waste away in your sin.'” A person in this state has disinherited himself.
40 — Therefore the wrath of the LORD was kindled against His people, so that He abhorred His own inheritance.
41 — And He gave them into the hand of the Gentiles, and those who hated them ruled over them.
42 — Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
43 — Many times He delivered them; but they rebelled in their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
44 — Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, when He heard their cry;
45 — And for their sake He remembered His covenant, and relented according to the multitude of His mercies.
46 — He also made them to be pitied by all those who carried them away captive.
47 — Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the Gentiles, to give thanks to Your holy name, to triumph in Your praise.
48 — Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the LORD! (NKJV)
The people were bent on “doing their own thing” or “what was right in their own eyes.” We see that today in how many so-called Christians are interpreting the Word of God in their own way. Making it mean what they think, practicing things contrary to the teachings of God. When God’s people rebel it brings serious consequences. I look at the history of our country and think of the many blessings that God has bestowed upon us. I think of the many times He has delivered us and brought aid to us. But now… Now we’re are turning our backs on His Word and doing what pleases us.
However, God will hear the cry of the faithful. He will rescue His people, His faithful people and have mercy on them. Verse 47, is a key — “Save us” and then there is thanksgiving and praise. Derek Kidner wrote, “Penitence is never out of place in praise, nor praise in an act of penitence.” Remember, nothing can separate us from the love of God–that is His people, His children. But we must note that sin does separate us from God. His love is still there and He waits to hear the sound of “Save us”.
Nothing can separate us from His love except when we turn our backs on Him and even then He still loves us. The gift of His Son is still there calling out. His mercy, His lovingkindness endures forever, so perhaps this is the day that you need to call out–“Save me.” When we call out we must acknowledge our sin (oh, how this is so much against today’s teaching), there must be confession of sin, and then the asking of forgiveness. I would encourage you to go back and read through Psalm 106 again. Note how God is there to redeem and restore not only a nation such as Israel, but each one of our lives as well.
“And I, poor sinner, cast it away;
Lived for the toil or pleasure of each day,
As if no Christ had shed His precious blood,
As if I owed no homage to my God.”
–Henry W. Baker