GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Psalm 105:1–11, 42–45
Reflecting on God’s faithfulness may lead to a stronger commitment in our lives to be faithful to God and share the good news of God’s salvific plan.
Call to Worship (1–6)
This call to worship is more than a call to speak or sing. It is a call to proclaim the nature of God, which has an evangelistic purpose. God calls His people to give thanks and proclaim His name. The psalmist reviews the mighty acts of God done in history on behalf of His people. The people of God and individual believers need to reflect upon God’s guidance and provisions in life.
In the Holman Old Testament Commentary, author Steven Lawson notes that the author of this psalm sets forth 10 commands to encourage God’s people to be faithful. The commands all focus on worship of a faithful God.
First, the psalmist commands us to worship Him by giving thanks. Second, as worshippers of God we should call on His name. Third, God gave a missional call to His people to make known His mighty deeds to the whole world by communicating what God has done throughout history.
Fourth, God’s people should sing praises because He is worthy. Fifth, believers should tell everyone in the world of God’s wonderful acts in history. Sixth, every believer should glorify God’s name. Seventh, we should rejoice in the nature of the One we worship. Eighth, we should rejoice in God’s great, mighty power. Ninth, we should pursue the knowledge of God. Tenth, we should remember God’s mighty acts in history and in our lives.
God’s commands are God’s will for our life.
Covenant Made (7–11)
God made a covenant in which He fulfilled His promise faithfully even though the people of God may not have fully realized the meaning of the covenant at that time. The psalm challenges God’s people to remember His wondrous works and the judgments He has proclaimed. Although God established the covenant with Abraham, the focus is upon succeeding generations, namely the offspring of Abraham — Jacob’s descendants.
The covenant created a special relationship between God and His people. God has never forgotten His covenant promises. In the Bible, some covenants are conditional and other covenants are eternal. Covenants are a unifying theme in the Scriptures. God’s covenant with Abraham was a permanent covenant that would last forever.
Covenant Fulfilled (42–45)
The psalmist’s terminology of God remembering His covenant affirms that God actively fulfilled the covenant and does not convey the idea that God had forgotten His promise. Christians today should take note that God remembers His promises.
God liberated the Hebrews from Egyptian bondage in a miraculous way. After years of bondage to the Egyptians, the Hebrews exited with a spirit of rejoicing and shouts of joy. The Hebrews simply took over the land as God removed the native populations because of their wickedness. God had a purpose in redeeming His people from Egypt. He purposed to have a people group who would do His will.
By Mark Rathel
Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in DeFuniak Springs, Florida
