Passage Read: Psalm 103-106
Meditation Verses: 105:43-45
Thought
This psalm recounts all the good things the Lord did for Israel in Egypt and before and after, and the last verse gives God's purpose in doing all these things: that they might obey His laws and precepts. All the good things God did for the people was to teach them about Himself and prepare them to walk in His ways! That was His goal all along, to set apart a people in the midst of the earth who would display His wisdom by their obedience, and His goodness by His blessings on them. He began by proving His power and care, in hope that they would see and understand how good He is and how certainly He is able to provide for and bless them. It should have been only natural for the people to respond in gratitude with teachable hearts eager to do His will.
Application
This has been God's goal from the beginning of time. He always does the great things for His people first, that they might respond with willing hearts to walk in His ways. He sent Jesus as His greatest act of kindness and display of power, redeeming us from eternal damnation by His death and resurrection, and giving us new hearts that desire to do His will. How wrong it is to receive forgiveness then continue to walk in our old ways, remaining ignorant of His ways or giving little effort or attention to living by them. This was God's purpose in redeeming me, and in gratitude, I should be eager to know and do His will as revealed in His Word.