Tag Archives: Psalms

Yoked to Idols

12 Monday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 106, Psalms

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading:

Reading: Psalm 106:28-39 (NIV)*

They yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor
    and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods;
they aroused the LORD’s anger by their wicked deeds,
    and a plague broke out among them.
But Phinehas stood up and intervened,
    and the plague was checked.
This was credited to him as righteousness
    for endless generations to come.
By the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD,
    and trouble came to Moses because of them;
for they rebelled against the Spirit of God,
    and rash words came from Moses’ lips.
They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them,
but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs.
They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them.
They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to false gods.
 They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters,
whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan,
    and the land was desecrated by their blood.
They defiled themselves by what they did;
    by their deeds they prostituted themselves.

Reflection

Psalm 106 began with with praise, but in verse three it transitioned to this opening thought, “Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.”

Now there’s a mind-blowing concept. Talk about setting the bar completely out of reach! Nobody—I repeat—nobody always does right and acts justly in every situation. Human fallibility and self-interest dictate to the contrary.

The psalmist then goes on to recount a litany of Israel’s sins. By my estimation there are nine major transgressions outlined in Israel’s history through this psalm. There’s a failure to remember God’s kindness. There’s rebellion, wickedness, idolatry, envy, sensual craving, impatience, ingratitude, unbelief, outright disobedience, bloodshed, human sacrifice, and further rebellion.

What is truly remarkable about this psalm is not Israel’s sinful ways; sinful ways are common to all humanity. What is truly mind-boggling is God’s faithfulness and readiness to forgive. He hears us in our distress. He seeks out the lost and wayward. He welcomes back the sin infested prodigals knowing full well where they have been. That’s the wonder of our God. He is always, always, always ready to forgive, when we are ready to admit the error of our ways. Now that’s a reason for praise!

Response

Father God, I acknowledge that my people and my nation have been caught up in sinful ways. Please be merciful to us. We are deserving of your judgment. Forgive us through your son Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn

Like Phinehas are you ready to take a stand against sin in your life and your community? What can you do today to show appreciation for the Lord’s mercy?

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all my Canadian readers.

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

People have been praying and praising God using the Psalms for millenia. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord.

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award.

For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.


Who Can Fully Declare His Praise?

10 Saturday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 105, Psalms

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to Psalm 106:1-5 read by Jonathan Dent.

Reading: Psalm 106:1-5  (NIV)*

Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD
or fully declare his praise?
 Blessed are those who act justly,
who always do what is right.
Remember me, LORD, when you show favor to your people,
come to my aid when you save them,
that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may share in the joy of your nation
and join your inheritance in giving praise.

Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com


Response

Father God, I call on you. Look on me with favor. I know I fall short of your standard. I need your mercy. I depend on you. I know my efforts are inadequate. I rely on your grace and the redemptive blood of Jesus. Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all my Canadian readers!

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

The photo of Jerusalem on the cover of Psalm 365, Volume II

Take a journey to the cross.


To view further details or purchase click here.

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

The Greatest Commandment

09 Friday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 106, Psalms

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”


Today’s Reading: Psalm 106: 16-27 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Father God,
I thank you for my personal redemption.
Lead me in the right path for my life.
Guide our nation.
May there be a collective turning
to you in repentance and faith.
 Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Greatest Commandment

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.
Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer,
he asked him,
“Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

“The most important one,” answered Jesus,
“is this: ‘Hear, O Israel:
The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no commandment greater than these.”

“Well said, teacher,” the man replied.
“You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.
 To love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding and with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him,
“You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
(Mark 12:28-34).

* * *

God sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
We saw his son and are now telling others about him.
(1 John 4:14 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Lest We Forget

09 Friday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 106, Psalms

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading:

Reading: Psalm 106:16-27 (NIV)*

In the camp they grew envious of Moses
    and of Aaron, who was consecrated to the LORD.
The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan;
    it buried the company of Abiram.
Fire blazed among their followers; a flame consumed the wicked.
At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped an idol cast from metal.
They exchanged their glorious God
    for an image of a bull, which eats grass.
They forgot the God who saved them,
    who had done great things in Egypt,
miracles in the land of Ham and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.
So he said he would destroy them—
    had not Moses, his chosen one,
stood in the breach before him
    to keep his wrath from destroying them.
Then they despised the pleasant land;
    they did not believe his promise.
They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the LORD.
So he swore to them with uplifted hand
    that he would make them fall in the wilderness,
make their descendants fall among the nations
    and scatter them throughout the lands.

Reflection

Annually we pause to commemorate Veterans Day in United States, or Remembrance Day as it is known in Canada. That day was chosen to honor and remember our fallen soldiers because November 11, 1918, marked the end of the First World War. It is fitting that we remember those who sacrificed their lives in the defense of their country and its way of life. To forget them would be a disgrace to them and to the nation. We owe our liberty to these brave men and women. Lest we forget is the oft repeated motto of this day of solemn remembrance.

Today’s reading from Psalm 106 highlights the importance of a nation’s collective memory. Israel was redeemed and set free from slavery in Egypt by the miracle working power of God, yet in a few short years they forgot, or chose to ignore the LORD who rescued them. They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt, miracles in the land of Ham and awesome deeds by the Red Sea (v. 21-22).

There are serious consequences for the nation that forgets or turns its back on the God who called its people out of darkness. The same is true on a personal level. We need to routinely remind ourselves that Jesus paid the ultimate price to redeem us and make us his very own.

Response

Father God, I thank you for my personal redemption. Lead me in the right path for my life. Guide our nation. May there be a collective turning to you in repentance and faith. Amen.

Your Turn

Is there such a thing as national redemption or salvation, or is it always personal? How do you mark or remember your salvation?

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

People have been praying and praising God using the Psalms for millenia. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord.

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award.

For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.


Marriage at the Resurrection

08 Thursday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 106, Psalms

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”


Today’s Reading: Psalm 106: 6-15 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Father God,
I want to treasure the experiences I have with you.
Each one is significant as you guide me in your way.
Help me be attentive to your voice,
your word, and your Spirit.
 Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Marriage at the Resurrection

Then the Sadducees,
who say there is no resurrection,
came to him with a question.
 “Teacher,” they said,
“Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children,
the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.
Now there were seven brothers.
The first one married and died without leaving any children.
 The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child.
It was the same with the third.
In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too.
 At the resurrection whose wife will she be,
since the seven were married to her?”

Jesus replied,
“Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage;
they will be like the angels in heaven.
 Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses,
in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him,
‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?
He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”
(Mark 12:18-27).

* * *

God sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
We saw his son and are now telling others about him.
(1 John 4:14 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

 A Growing List of Transgressions

08 Thursday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalms, Psalm 106

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading:

Reading: Psalm 106:6-15 (NIV)*

We have sinned, even as our ancestors did;
    we have done wrong and acted wickedly.
When our ancestors were in Egypt,
    they gave no thought to your miracles;
they did not remember your many kindnesses,
    and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.
Yet he saved them for his name’s sake,
    to make his mighty power known.
He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up;
    he led them through the depths as through a desert.
He saved them from the hand of the foe;
    from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them.
The waters covered their adversaries;
    not one of them survived.
Then they believed his promises and sang his praise.
But they soon forgot what he had done
    and did not wait for his plan to unfold.
 In the desert they gave in to their craving;
    in the wilderness they put God to the test.
 So he gave them what they asked for,
    but sent a wasting disease among them.

Reflection

Psalm 106 begins with the psalmist pleading for God’s favor. He longs to be included among the blessed, who are saved and numbered among the LORD’s chosen ones. But in today’s reading we discovered the terrible truth. Sinful conduct has been rampant among God’s people; therefore, the psalmist makes this confession. We have sinned, even as our ancestors did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly (v. 6).

As this psalm progresses, the psalmist catalogues an ever-growing list of transgressions. But what sets this downward progression into motion is a bout of forgetfulness. The psalmist laments, they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea (v. 7b). Later he comments: But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold (v. 13).

Usually, we do not consider forgetfulness to be a sin. But there is such a thing as willful forgetfulness. We remember those things we consider important. We forget the trivial—those things we consider of little significance. The redeemed people of Israel experienced the wonder-working power of God, yet they treated these events as though they were of little significance. They failed to grasp the paramount significance of these events and as result they stumbled into grumbling and disobedience. Do we grasp the significance of God’s interaction with us? The great Creator reaches out to us. There’s nothing insignificant in that. These are the high points in our sojourn through this life.


Response

Father God, I want to treasure the experiences I have with you. Each one is significant as you guide me in your way. Help me be attentive to your voice, your word, and your Spirit. Amen.

Your Turn

Have you been guilty of forgetting those times when God has spoken to you? This week try to listen for His voice.

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

People have been praying and praising God using the Psalms for millenia. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord.

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award.

For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.


Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar

07 Wednesday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 105, Psalms

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”


Today’s Reading: Psalm 106: 1-5 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Father God,
I call on you. Look on me with favor.
I know I fall short of your standard.
I need your mercy.
I depend on you.
I know my efforts are inadequate.
I rely on your grace.
 Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar

Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians
to Jesus to catch him in his words.
 They came to him and said,
“Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity.
You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are;
but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?
 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy.
“Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked.
“Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.”
 They brought the coin, and he asked them,
“Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

 Then Jesus said to them,
“Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

And they were amazed at him.
(Mark 12:13-17).

* * *

God sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
We saw his son and are now telling others about him.
(1 John 4:14 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

His Love Endures Forever

07 Wednesday Oct 2026

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading:

Reading: Psalm 106:1-5 (NIV)*

Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD
    or fully declare his praise?
 Blessed are those who act justly,
    who always do what is right.
Remember me, LORD, when you show favor to your people,
    come to my aid when you save them,
that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
    that I may share in the joy of your nation
    and join your inheritance in giving praise.

Reflection

Let’s face the truth. We all want to live a blessed life. We desire God’s blessing, whether we clearly state it in those terms or not. In today’s reading, the psalmist begins Psalm 106 with a flurry of praise for the LORD. Then he makes this statement: Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right (v. 3).

I confess that I have a problem with that statement. I am certain there is great blessing in acting justly and doing what is right. My problem is with the word always. I’m not an always kind of guy. I would be far more comfortable if the verse read like this: Blessed are those who act justly, who ‘usually’ do what is right. I think I can achieve ‘usually’, but ‘always’ is setting the bar higher than I can achieve. I would like a little wiggle room, LORD.

It would seem psalmist is of a similar persuasion, because in the following verse he asks for the favor of the LORD. We desperately need the LORD’s favor because we cannot always achieve the high mark of God’s righteousness and justice. We fall short.

Consider the psalmist’s plea: Remember me, LORD, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them, that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise (v. 4-5).

 This is a prayer for inclusion. The psalmist wants to be included with all those who experience the salvation and blessing of the LORD. He wants to be one of the chosen ones. I am reminded of the words of that old gospel spiritual ‘When the Saints Go Marching In.’ O Lord, I want to be among the number, when the saints go marching in!

 Our shortcomings or sins exclude us, but it is the grace of God—His unmerited favor—that includes us. It has always been this way. We are a people—a nation—in need of God’s favor. Our efforts and good intentions fall short. We need to rely on God’s favor. He is the true source of blessing.

Response

Father God, I call on you. Look on me with favor. I know I fall short of your standard. I need your mercy. I depend on you. I know my efforts are inadequate. I rely on your grace. Amen.

Your Turn

Are you an always, a usually, or a sometimes kind of person, when it comes to doing right? Do your shortcomings prompt you to lean on the grace of God?

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

People have been praying and praising God using the Psalms for millenia. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord.

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award.

https://audio.com/embed/v2/audio/1878334511853800 

For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.

 

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

06 Tuesday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 105, Psalms

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”


Today’s Reading: Psalm 105: 39-45 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Father God,
I live in thanksgiving
for the rock that was opened for my redemption.
By faith I receive you.
Today, I drink in your new life
and your redemptive purpose for me.
Praise the LORD!
 Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Parable of the Tenants

Jesus then began to speak to them in parables:
“A man planted a vineyard.
He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower.
Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place.
At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants
to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard.
But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
 Then he sent another servant to them;
they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully.
He sent still another, and that one they killed.
He sent many others;
some of them they beat, others they killed.

 “He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved.
He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

 “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir.
Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

 “What then will the owner of the vineyard do?
He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.
 Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture:

“‘The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
 the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

Then the chief priests,
the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him
because they knew he had spoken the parable against them.
But they were afraid of the crowd;
so they left him and went away.
(Mark 12:1-12).

* * *

God sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
We saw his son and are now telling others about him.
(1 John 4:14 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Provision in the Wilderness

06 Tuesday Oct 2026

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading:

Reading: Psalm 105:39-45 (NIV)*

He spread out a cloud as a covering,
    and a fire to give light at night.
They asked, and he brought them quail;
    he fed them well with the bread of heaven.
He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
    it flowed like a river in the desert.
For he remembered his holy promise
    given to his servant Abraham.
He brought out his people with rejoicing,
    his chosen ones with shouts of joy;
he gave them the lands of the nations,
    and they fell heir to what others had toiled for—
that they might keep his precepts
    and observe his laws.
Praise the LORD.

Reflection

In the previous readings from Psalm 105, the psalmist described the LORD’s covenant relationship with His chosen people, the descendants of Abraham. The psalm then proceeds to outline the redemption and release of the people of Israel from cruel bondage and oppression in Egypt. Today’s reading celebrates God’s provision for them in the wilderness and their arrival in the Promised Land.

He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy; he gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for—that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws (v. 43-45).

There is a striking parallel between the Old Testament redemption of the people of Israel and the New Testament redemption of the Christian believer. Paul, the apostle draws our attention to this parallel experience in the tenth chapter of his first letter to the Corinthians. For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1-4).

In today’s psalm portion we read: He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert. From Paul’s writing we understand that the opened rock was Christ. On the cross he was opened, and water and blood gushed out. Life-giving—life-changing redemption flowed out to all who will receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God (John 1:12-13).

Response

Father God, I live in thanksgiving for the rock that was opened for my redemption. By faith I receive you. Today, I drink in your new life and your redemptive purpose for me. Praise the LORD! Amen.

Your Turn

Is Christ the Rock accompanying you as you travel through the wilderness of this life? What evidence do you have of God’s abiding presence in your life?

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