Are we patiently faithful, waiting for a heavenly land of promise in eternity? Let’s begin in Psalm 105.
To whom do we give the greatest thanks? Do we discuss only worldly concerns or also tell of all His marvelous works?
Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name! Make his doings known among the peoples. Sing to him, sing praises to him! Tell of all his marvelous works. Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more. Remember his marvelous works that he has done: his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, you offspring of Abraham, his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones. (Ps 105:1-6 WEB)
Who is our God, money, power, materialism or the Lord? How important is the covenant with Abraham?
The Lord—he is our God. His justice is everywhere throughout the whole world. God remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded to a thousand generations, which he made with Abraham, the solemn pledge he swore to Isaac. God set it up as binding law for Jacob, as an eternal covenant for Israel, promising, “I hereby give you the land of Canaan as your allotted inheritance.” (Ps 105:7-11 CEB)
Though we may often be small in number, as the members of Abraham’s family once were, is God with us?
At the time there were only a few of us, and we were homeless. We wandered from nation to nation, from one country to another. God did not let anyone mistreat our people. Instead he protected us by punishing rulers and telling them, “Don't touch my chosen leaders or harm my prophets!” (Ps 105:12-15 CEV)
Even in hard times like a famine, can God use our difficulties to bless us long term?
When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; (Ps 105:16-18 ESV)
Was Joseph’s story from slave to ruler an encouragement as to how suddenly God can change our lives?
The king sent for him and released him; the ruler of peoples set him free. He made him master of his household, ruler over all his possessions—binding his officials at will and instructing his elders. (Ps 105:20-22 HCSB)
Did God have a purpose in Israel’s sojourn in Egypt, revealing Himself again in miracles?
Then Israel came to Egypt; indeed, Jacob lived in the land of Ham. He caused his people to multiply greatly; and be more numerous than their enemies. He caused them to hate his people and to deceive his servants. He sent his servant Moses, along with Aaron, whom he had chosen. They performed his signs among them, his wonders in the land of Ham. (Ps 105:23-27 ISV)
What were some of those miracles that God performed in Egypt to free Israel?
He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word. He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings. He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts. (Ps 105:28-31 KJV)
What other miracles did God perform in Egypt to force them to free Israel?
He gave them hail for rain, And flaming fire in their land. He also struck down their vines and their fig trees, And He shattered the trees of their territory. He spoke, and locusts came, And creeping locusts, without number, And they ate up all vegetation in their land, And they ate up the fruit of their ground. He also struck down all the firstborn in their land, The first of all their vigor. (Ps 105:32-36 LSB)
What great blessings did Israel experience as they exited slavery? How can this picture the blessing of repentance and salvation for us today?
Then He brought the Israelites out with silver and gold, And among His tribes there was not one who stumbled. Egypt was glad when they departed, For the dread of them had fallen upon the Egyptians. He spread out a cloud as a covering, And fire to illumine by night. They asked, and He brought quail, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock and water flowed out; It ran in the dry places like a river. For He remembered His holy word With His servant Abraham; And He led out His people with joy, His chosen ones with a joyful shout. He also gave them the lands of the nations, So that they might take possession of the fruit of the peoples’ labor, And that they might keep His statutes And comply with His laws; Praise the Lord! (Ps 105:37-45 NASB)
Are we like the patriarchs who died before the land was given, waiting patiently for a promise of a better country in eternity?
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Heb 11:13-16 NIV)
Are we patiently faithful, waiting for a heavenly land of promise in eternity? You decide!
