Though we may stumble into sin, will God mercifully forgive us upon repentance? Let’s look at Psalm 106.
Can we get past empty words and truly praise the Lord? Is He good, merciful, and mighty?
Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? Who can declare all His praise? Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times! (Ps 106:1-3 NKJV)
Are we satisfied to be alone, or do we really want to share fellowship with other believers?
Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people; come near and rescue me. Let me share in the prosperity of your chosen ones. Let me rejoice in the joy of your people; let me praise you with those who are your heritage. (Ps 106:4-5 NLT)
Do we freely admit that we have all sinned, or do we live in a delusion of self-righteousness?
We have sinned with our fathers. We have committed iniquity. We have done wickedly. Our fathers didn’t understand your wonders in Egypt. They didn’t remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses, but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea. Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power known. He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up; so he led them through the depths, as through a desert. He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. The waters covered their adversaries. There was not one of them left. Then they believed his words. They sang his praise. (Ps 106:6-12 WEB)
Do we quickly forget our past sins and rush into making decisions without seeking the Lord’s guidance?
But how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his advice. They were overcome with craving in the desert; they tested God in the wastelands. God gave them what they asked for; he sent food to satisfy their appetites. (Ps 106:13-15 CEB)
Are we jealous of someone else’s position in the church enough to rebel against God or are we humble and supportive?
Everyone in camp was jealous of Moses and of Aaron, your chosen priest. Dathan and Abiram rebelled, and the earth opened up and swallowed them. Then fire broke out and destroyed all of their followers. (Ps 106:16-18 CEV)
What in our churches could be an idol that we perhaps worship more than God?
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. (Ps 106:19-23 ESV)
How dangerous is it to want to go our own ways and despise what God is giving us as our inheritance?
They despised the pleasant land and did not believe His promise. They grumbled in their tents and did not listen to the Lord’s voice. So He raised His hand against them with an oath that He would make them fall in the desert and would disperse their descendants among the nations, scattering them throughout the lands. (Ps 106:24-27 HCSB)
How easy is it to worship something of this world rather than God? What are some examples in today’s world?
For they adopted the worship of Baal Peor and ate sacrifices offered to the dead. They had provoked anger by their deeds, so that a plague broke out against them. But Phinehas intervened and prayed so that the plague was restrained. And it was credited to him as a righteous act, from generation to generation—to eternity. (Ps 106:28-31 ISV)
What foolish actions could possibly make God angry at us today? What words have we possibly spoken unadvisedly?
They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips. (Ps 106:32-33 KJV)
Instead of eradicating cultural practices like sacrificing children and shedding innocent blood, what had Israel done? Have we also allowed perverse cultural practices to continue?
They did not destroy the peoples, As Yahweh commanded them, But they mingled with the nations And learned their works, And served their idols, Which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons, And they shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and their daughters, Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with the blood. Thus they became unclean in their works, And played the harlot in their actions. (Ps 106:34-39 LSB)
Was God angry with Israel for their idolatry and punished them for it?
Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against His people, And He loathed His inheritance. So He handed them over to the nations, And those who hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were subdued under their power. Many times He would rescue them; They, however, were rebellious in their plan, And they sank down into their guilt. (Ps 106:40-43 NASB)
Even in punishment was God merciful? When we repent of sins, can we expect the same mercy from God?
Yet he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. He caused all who held them captive to show them mercy. Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord. (Ps 106:44-48 NIV)
What are we to learn from this history of Israel’s battles with sin?
Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1 Cor 10:6-11 NKJV)
Will God be just as merciful to us if we confess our sins?
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9 NLT)
Though we may stumble into sin, will God mercifully forgive us upon repentance? You decide!
