SOAP Journal 03-27-2008 (Psalm 78:32-35)

Scripture:

Psalm 78:32-35 Despite all this, they continued to sin, and did not trust him to do amazing things. So he caused them to die unsatisfied and filled with terror. When he struck them down, they sought his favor; they turned back and longed for God. They remembered that God was their protector, and that the sovereign God was their deliverer.

Observation:

In the face of world-changing, jaw-dropping miracles, the people of Israel failed to trust God to do "amazing things". Like the things He had been doing for the last season in front of their eyes and using their lives as demonstration of His salvation. So, He judged them and kileed some of them. They THEN responded with pleas for his favor and went after Him. They THEN "remembered" his protection and sovereignty.

Application:

If these people could get cynical and ascribe some other explanation to Egypt's plague and the parting of the Red Sea, how much easier is it for us to get cynical, explaining away everything we see and experience? We cease to trust; we look elsewhere for deliverance from trial. Judgment follows, which we HAVE to respond to and "light dawns on marble head" - we understand our need for Him. I want to be attentive to the move of God even in small places, not despising the day of small beginnings nor the inklings I get of God's mysterious movements. But I don't want to invent things that aren't there either.

Prayer:

Father, help me and us to see Your move, to celebrate Your deliverance, Your speaking to our hearts, Your wisdom and all manner of gifts and fruits You have sent into our lives. We want to know You in the wilderness, to walk with You through all our paths. Let us never need the judgment that follows cynical doubt - let use never ascribe Your move to another, or sheer chance. In Jesus' name.