How often do you take time to reflect on God’s faithfulness in your life?
Psalm 105 calls us to remember the many ways God has worked in history and in our own lives, leading us to respond with praise and trust in His promises.
Key Verse: “Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced.” – Psalm 105:5 (NIV)
Background Context: Psalm 105 is a hymn of praise that recounts the mighty works of God throughout Israel’s history, from His covenant with Abraham to the miraculous deliverance of His people from Egypt. The psalmist encourages God’s people to remember and proclaim His deeds, reminding them of His faithfulness to keep His promises. It’s a psalm that calls us not only to reflect on God’s past works but also to trust Him for the future, knowing that His promises are unchanging.
(Summarized and continued after scripture)
The LORD’S Wonderful Works in Behalf of Israel.
1Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
2Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
3Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
4Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face continually.
5Remember His wonders which He has done,
His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth,
6O seed of Abraham, His servant,
O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!
7He is the LORD our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
8He has remembered His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded to a thousand generations,
9The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac.
10Then He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the portion of your inheritance,”
12When they were only a few men in number,
Very few, and strangers in it.
13And they wandered about from nation to nation,
From one kingdom to another people.
14He permitted no man to oppress them,
And He reproved kings for their sakes:
15“Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”
16And He called for a famine upon the land;
He broke the whole staff of bread.
17He sent a man before them,
Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18They afflicted his feet with fetters,
He himself was laid in irons;
19Until the time that his word came to pass,
The word of the LORD tested him.
20The king sent and released him,
The ruler of peoples, and set him free.
21He made him lord of his house
And ruler over all his possessions,
22To imprison his princes at will,
That he might teach his elders wisdom.
23Israel also came into Egypt;
Thus Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24And He caused His people to be very fruitful,
And made them stronger than their adversaries.
25He turned their heart to hate His people,
To deal craftily with His servants.
26He sent Moses His servant,
And Aaron, whom He had chosen.
27They performed His wondrous acts among them,
And miracles in the land of Ham.
28He sent darkness and made it dark;
And they did not rebel against His words.
29He turned their waters into blood
And caused their fish to die.
30Their land swarmed with frogs
Even in the chambers of their kings.
31He spoke, and there came a swarm of flies
And gnats in all their territory.
32He gave them hail for rain,
And flaming fire in their land.
33He struck down their vines also and their fig trees,
And shattered the trees of their territory.
34He spoke, and locusts came,
And young locusts, even without number,
35And ate up all vegetation in their land,
And ate up the fruit of their ground.
36He also struck down all the firstborn in their land,
The first fruits of all their vigor.
37Then He brought them out with silver and gold,
And among His tribes there was not one who stumbled.
38Egypt was glad when they departed,
For the dread of them had fallen upon them.
39He spread a cloud for a covering,
And fire to illumine by night.
40They asked, and He brought quail,
And satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
41He opened the rock and water flowed out;
It ran in the dry places like a river.
42For He remembered His holy word
With Abraham His servant;
43And He brought forth His people with joy,
His chosen ones with a joyful shout.
44He gave them also the lands of the nations,
That they might take possession of the fruit of the peoples’ labor,
45So that they might keep His statutes
And observe His laws,
Praise the LORD!
Reflection on Psalm 105:
- A Call to Remember God’s Wonders: The psalm begins with a powerful invitation to give thanks, sing praises, and make known God’s deeds among the nations (Psalm 105:1-2). The psalmist commands the people to “remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced” (Psalm 105:5). Reflecting on God’s past works helps us to cultivate gratitude and strengthens our faith in His ongoing work in our lives. Remembering what God has done in the past builds our confidence in His faithfulness today. How often do we take time to reflect on the ways God has answered prayers, provided for us, and guided us through difficult seasons? Make it a habit to remember His faithfulness, especially in moments when you’re facing uncertainty.
- God’s Covenant and Promises: Psalm 105 emphasizes God’s covenant with Abraham and His faithfulness to keep His promises to His people (Psalm 105:8-11). The psalmist recounts how God established His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, promising them the land of Canaan as their inheritance. Despite the challenges and trials that Israel faced, God remained faithful to His word. This reminds us that God’s promises are sure and steadfast. He is not a God who forgets or fails to keep His word. In a world where promises are often broken, we can find comfort in the fact that God’s promises never fail. Are there promises in God’s Word that you are holding onto today? Trust in His faithfulness, knowing that what He has spoken will come to pass.
- God’s Protection and Guidance: The psalm goes on to describe how God protected and guided His people through various trials and challenges. When they were few in number and vulnerable, God preserved them and protected them from their enemies (Psalm 105:12-15). He sent Joseph ahead of them to Egypt to prepare a way, and through Joseph’s trials, God ultimately saved Israel from famine (Psalm 105:16-22). Even in times of hardship, God was working behind the scenes to bring about His purposes for His people. This is a reminder that God’s guidance and protection are constant, even when we can’t see the bigger picture. Just as He guided and provided for Israel, He is doing the same for us today. In what ways has God been guiding and protecting you, even in difficult seasons? Take time to acknowledge His hand at work in your life.
- God’s Power to Deliver: One of the most powerful sections of Psalm 105 is the recounting of Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Psalm 105:23-38). God sent Moses and Aaron to perform signs and wonders before Pharaoh, and through a series of miraculous plagues, God demonstrated His power over Egypt. The ultimate act of deliverance came when God parted the Red Sea, allowing His people to escape and journey toward the Promised Land. This part of Israel’s history is a profound reminder of God’s ability to rescue and deliver His people from bondage. It also points us to the greater deliverance we have in Jesus Christ, who sets us free from the bondage of sin and death. How has God delivered you from spiritual or physical bondage? Reflect on His power to save and give thanks for the freedom you have in Christ.
- The Importance of Obeying God’s Laws: Psalm 105:45 ends with an important command: “so that they might keep His statutes and observe His laws.” The psalmist emphasizes that remembering God’s works is not just about praise but also about living in obedience to His commands. God’s faithfulness to us calls for a response of faithful living. As God delivered and provided for His people, it was not just so they could enjoy freedom but so they could live in alignment with His will. For us today, following God’s statutes is a natural response to His love and faithfulness. Obedience is not a burden but a way to honor God and live in the fullness of His blessing. Are you faithfully keeping God’s commands in response to His goodness? Reflect on areas of your life where you need to align more closely with His Word.
- The Importance of Proclaiming God’s Deeds: The psalmist ends by encouraging the people to “proclaim His great deeds among the nations” (Psalm 105:1). Remembering God’s works is not just for our benefit but also for the benefit of others. When we testify to God’s faithfulness, we encourage others to trust Him and draw closer to Him. Sharing what God has done in your life can be a powerful witness to His love, power, and grace. Who in your life needs to hear about the ways God has been faithful to you? Don’t hesitate to proclaim His goodness and invite others to experience His love.
Summary Key Points:
- Remember God’s Wonders and Miracles: Psalm 105 calls us to reflect on the many ways God has worked in history and in our own lives, building gratitude and trust in His faithfulness.
- God’s Promises Are Unchanging: God’s covenant with Abraham reminds us that He is faithful to keep His promises. We can trust in His Word, knowing that what He has spoken will come to pass.
- God Protects and Guides His People: Just as God guided and protected Israel through trials, He is with us today, guiding and providing for us even when we can’t see the bigger picture.
- God’s Power to Deliver: The deliverance of Israel from Egypt points to God’s power to save and rescue His people from bondage. This reminds us of the ultimate deliverance we have in Christ.
- Obedience as a Response to God’s Faithfulness: Remembering God’s wonders should lead us to live in obedience to His commands. Our response to His love is faithful living that aligns with His Word.
- Proclaim God’s Faithfulness: As we remember God’s works in our lives, we are called to share His goodness with others, proclaiming His great deeds to those around us.
Application: Spend time reflecting on the ways God has been faithful in your life. Make a list of the specific ways He has answered prayers, provided for you, and delivered you from difficult circumstances. Use this list as a reminder of His goodness in moments of doubt or fear. If you are waiting for God to fulfill a promise, take comfort in knowing that He is faithful to keep His Word. Pray for patience and trust as you wait on Him. Reflect on areas where you need to better align with His statutes, and ask for the strength to live in obedience to His commands. Finally, look for opportunities to share God’s faithfulness with others. Whether through a conversation, a testimony, or a simple word of encouragement, let others know how God has worked in your life and invite them to trust in Him.
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your faithfulness and the many ways You have worked in our lives. Help us to remember Your wonders and to trust in Your promises, knowing that You are always faithful to Your Word. Guide us in times of uncertainty and remind us of Your constant presence. Help us to live in obedience to Your statutes, honoring You with our lives. May we be bold in proclaiming Your great deeds to others, that they too may come to know Your love and faithfulness. Thank You for Your power to deliver and for the freedom we have in Christ. We give You all the praise and glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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