Wednesday: Ever Mindful of His Covenant

Daily Lesson for Wednesday 17th of January 2024

The theme of God’s judgment prompts a significant question: How can God’s people have peace with God and assurance of salvation at the time of judgment? Read Psalms 94:14, Psalms 105:7-10, Daniel 7:22.

Image © Phil McKay at Goodsalt.com

God’s people are secure because the Lord placed His dwelling place in Zion (Psalms 76:1-2) and established His everlasting covenant with them as His treasured possession (Psalms 94:14, Psalms 105:8-10). God does not simply promise not to reject His covenantal people—He actively works to keep them secure in Him. He forgives their sins (Psalms 103:3); He instructs, blesses, and strengthens His people (Psalms 25:8-11, Psalms 29:11, Psalms 105:24). God’s judgments are given to turn the people to righteousness and to demonstrate that God cares for them (Psalms 94:8-15).

Psalms 105:1-45 as a whole shows the Lord’s faithfulness to His covenant in Israel’s history. In everything that happened, the good and the bad, God was there. He providentially led Joseph to Egypt and through him saved His people and the nations in that area during the severe famine (Psalms 105:16-24). The Lord raised Moses to lead His people out of Egyptian slavery, which he did with signs and wonders on their behalf (Psalms 105:25-38).

The Lord granted His people the Promised Land (Psalms 105:11,44) and His continual protection (Psalms 105:12-15). He multiplied them (Psalms 105:24), freed them from their overlords (Psalms 105:37-38), and provided for their daily needs (Psalms 105:39-41). The Lord is undoubtedly in sovereign control of all that involves His people—a truth that the psalmists wanted His people never to forget.

When God remembers His covenant, it involves more than cognizance or memory because it always leads to action (Genesis 8:1, 1 Samuel 1:19, Psalms 98:3, Psalms 105:42-44). Likewise, when the people are called to remember God’s wonders and judgments, it means that the people should live in ways that honor God.

In this covenant, Israel’s primary calling is to remain faithful to the covenant by observing God’s laws (Psalms 78:5-7, Psalms 105:45). God’s people also are called to bear witness about God to other nations because the Lord wishes all nations to join His people Israel (Psalms 105:1-2). The world is thus secure in the protective covenant of the almighty and merciful God (Psalms 89:28-34).

What do we have in Jesus, which shows why these promises made to ancient Israel can now apply to us? (See Galatians 3:26-29.)