Marvelous Things

O. T. #1278  "Marvelous Things"
Sept. 5, 2018
Psalm 78-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Had any marvelous things happen in your life recently? I have as my 87 year old father in law was baptized after being saved. My nephew has a new baby boy. Our troubled car stopped before we hit the one in front at a yellow light, as we were on our way to get it repaired. Right now, I am trusting God to keep my sister and her family safe from the hurricane winds over Tampa, one more time. And breath today, may I never forget to be thankful for it.

The psalmists reviews the marvelous things which their God did for their ancestors after He delivered them from slavery in Egypt. We read of them in verses 12-16.

Marvelous refers to a miracle: marvelous thing; wonderful.

The Israelites could not divide the sea so they could be rescued from the trailing Egyptians, nor make a stream of water come out of a rock. It was enough to give water to 2 million people and their livestock. God led them by a cloud and fire toward the Promised Land, through the wilderness. He even brought down manna from heaven and quail from the sea for them to have meat after they complained about the menu. This was called angel food. Can't get any better. Yet it was their ingratitude and unbelief in God that angered God against them, resulting in His slaying  the fattest ones, whose heart was all wrong. (Exodus 32-33)

Good came. Look at verses 34-35: When He slew them, then they sought Him: and they returned and enquired early after God. And they remembered that God was their Rock, and the High God their Redeemer.

In the Hebrew language, Rock means a cliff or sharp rock; a refuge; mighty God; strength; stone.
Redeemer is to be the next of kin; to buy back; purchase; avenger; kinsman.

It was after god disciplined His children that they turned to Him and away from idols.
Is God the One to whom we go for our refuge and strength?
Jesus is the Redeemer, who purchased our salvation with the shedding of His blood as our sacrifice for our sins. Is He your Redeemer?

LET IT GROW

When alarmed by the judgments of God, what did Israel attempted to do?

• They tried to flatter Him, thus winning His favor.
• They lied with their tongues. (verse 36)
• Their heart was not right with God. (verse 37)
• Neither were they steadfast in their covenant.

An earthly king might enjoy the flattery, but the King of Kings abhors it. That lip service did not indicate loyal hearts. Their claims were not faithful commitments. However, God was merciful and forgave the sins of Israel. He did not destroy them and their idolatrous children.

Verse 39  NLT says, For He remembered that they were merely mortal, gone like a breath of wind that never returns.


Jesus keeps on forgiving us whenever we sin. Though we are mere mortals, here today and gone tomorrow, isn't our Rock and Redeemer marvelous or what? His mercies are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me and you.


LET IT GO

Keep God as my Rock and Redeemer until my breath is no more.
Keep me inquiring after You early.