In Psalm 105, remembering God's work in our lives and world (v. 5) leads to gratitude and praise (v. 1-4). The Lord promised Abraham to give him a son, to give him descendants as numerous as the stars through that son, and to give his descendants the land of Canaan as their inheritance (v. 8-11). While those promises were in process, while Abraham's family was still small, God protected them time after time. Three times Abraham or his son Isaac had their wife confiscated by a king, threatening to stop God's promise of a growing family for Abraham, but God protected Sarah and Rebekah and delivered them each time they were wrongfully detained (v. 12-15). Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery for over a decade, but God raised Joseph from rags to riches, and through him the world heard that the Lord is God (v. 16-22). Abraham's descendants multiplied greatly while in Egypt, under Joseph's protection and supplied by his provision (v. 23-24). However, after many years passed, the Lord's salvation of Egypt through Joseph was forgotten by those in power, and they mistreated and enslaved Joseph's people. With a series of ten plagues, the Lord made it clear to Egypt, that nothing could stop him from rescuing his people from their grasps (v. 26-36). He sustained his people in the desert (v. 39-41), and then lead them to the land he promised their forefather Abraham so many years before (v. 42-45).
Lord, we learn so much from this history lesson. We learn that you are sovereign over history, at work in this world to carry out your good and pleasing will and keep all of your perfect promises (v. 8-11, 42-44). You oversee everything that happens in this world. You protected Abraham and his family in the desert (v. 14). You sent a famine to advance your perfect plan (v. 16). You "sent" Joseph into slavery so that through him you might accomplish amazing things, the saving of many lives (v. 17). You caused Abraham's descendants to be fruitful, as you had promised (v. 24). You caused Pharaoh's heart to be hardened against them (v. 25). You sent Moses and Aaron to perform miracles that people might turn to you (v. 26-27). You sent plagues upon Egypt, that they might turn from their idols to you, that they might repent of holding your people in slavery, and that your people might also see your power and love for them (v. 26-36). You brought your people out of Egypt (v. 37). You provided bread out of thin air and water out of a desert rock for your people (v. 40-41). You led your people into the land you promised them (v. 44), and you gave them your perfect laws of love to guide them (v. 45).
Lord, truly you are sovereign over everything. Let us stop worrying about trying to control our lives and the circumstances we face, and rest knowing you are in control. You will see out your good and perfect plan. We pray, Lord, help us trust you all the more, praise you for all you've done in the past, and rejoice in all you have planned yet to come. Amen and amen.
