Although Psalm 105 recounts the history of the Lord's amazing faithfulness to the Israelites, Psalm 106 recounts the history of the Israelites' repeated unfaithfulness to the Lord. Verse 6 is a helpful reminder: we often go astray just as our forefathers did. And yet, time after time after time, God continues to have mercy on us.
Father God, we have the benefit of coming after the Israelites. We have the benefit of learning how their rebellion against you only caused themselves pain. We have the benefit of seeing how their unfaithfulness did not change your steadfast, faithful love for them. Despite all this, we still don't always learn from their negative example. Instead, we plunge ourselves into sin, and have to learn for ourselves: will you still love us even if we rebel from your ways?
The psalm ends with a prayer for mercy. O Lord, we echo this prayer, asking that you might be gracious toward us for all the ways we've wandered from you. Restore us to yourself. Restore us to your ways. Because of your heart, your character, your love, and your promises, we know that you will forgive us. But it still amazes us...how can you still love us? As we behold your wondrous love, let our rebellious ways be driven far from us. Grant us a spirit willing to repent, willing to humble ourselves before you, and submit to your perfect ways. You are good, O Lord, and we want to follow you. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.
