September 8, Day 251 – Grounded in an Eternal Perspective
- Dr. Eric Stricker
- Sep 7
- 3 min read
Today we come to Psalm 106, verses 1-15, and we see that this Psalm, like the previous one, considers part of the history of Israel. Reading this Psalm, we recognize that – like the Israelites – we, too, are a rebellious people, and we have sinned (verse 6). However, despite our own willful rebellion, we can say like the Psalmist, “God is good, He loves us forever, and He is to be praised” (verse 1). A little over a month ago (cf., August 6, Day 218 – The Power and the Wisdom of God), we mentioned that “some people are foolishly content to perish in their sins.” However, I am not content to take that path – especially when God in His mercy has provided a better way for me. Like the Psalmist, I desire to experience and “enjoy the prosperity of His chosen ones, to share in His joy, to join His inheritance, and to receive God’s favor” (verses 4-5). I want God to “remember me and to come to my aid” (verse 4). These are not the selfish cravings or covetous desires of a spoiled child. To desire the same things that God wants for us is not selfish. According to the Word of God, it is prudent, wise, and sensible, and it is grounded in an eternal perspective. Here, we see examples of God’s provision of good things for man, but man is contemptuous toward His good gifts – “the fathers gave no thought to God’s miracles; they forgot his kindnesses; they rebelled by the sea; and they soon forgot what He had done” (verses 7-13). God wants to “save” us - even from ourselves (verses 4, 8, and 10) - but we have to want to be saved. We cannot fathom His gifts to us, and only a fool would reject them!
In Isaiah 14-16, we read about God’s compassion for Israel and the Gentile nations who will freely join with Israel (verses 1-2). In this passage, we see God’s “taunt against the king of Babylon” (verse 4). This prophecy is twofold. [1] It is a song that foresees Israel’s restoration after the exile (and again in the distant future), as well as God’s denunciation of the last human king over Babylon – the man of sin (cf., 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8). The man of sin will emerge in the restored Roman Empire of the future (cf., Revelation 13:1-18). [2] In verses 12-27, we see the prophetic expression of God’s disdain and condemnation of the one who invisibly empowers and is personified by the king of Babylon – Satan – in his willful fall. Five times, the devil expressed his intent – “I will rise above God" (14:13-14). However, God promises to bring down Satan and his agents (14:14-15), even as Isaiah contemplates the extensive damage that Satan has wrought on the universe (verses 16-23). This is followed by Isaiah’s prophecies against Assyria, Philistia, and Moab (cf., 14:24-16:14). These idolatrous nations all symbolized mythical, apostate, and dead religious systems respectively.
In 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, we see Paul’s further thoughts about sowing generously, giving generously, and sharing generously (i.e., “overflowing,” verse 12) toward those in need. We cannot out-give God. God gives generously beyond all our understanding. By His love, mercy, and grace, He has given us life and all that is necessary to sustain it. In addition, He gives us everlasting life, salvation from sin and death, and the promise of a future in heaven with Him. As a result, it is only fitting that we ourselves – as God’s children – should emulate our Father’s generous character by being generous givers as well. Unfortunately, however, sin has robbed us of His characteristics and left us to be naturally selfish and greedy. Thus, we must learn spiritually and choose deliberately to be generous givers – that our “generosity will result in thanksgiving [and praise] to God” (verse 11). Paul ends this chapter on a lofty, exalted level – “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (verse 15). Amen!
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