PSALMS 106

Today is a lovely day!  I have been reading and studying the Bible for an hour and a half this morning.  During the summer months, I take a day a week off, Fridays.  So, I've been afforded the time to sit in my rocking chair with my Bible, pen, and coffee!  Wow, what a treat.  Getting to spend extra time in God's Word is a great treat for me.  I do not have to rush off to the office to meet the staff like I have since last Summer.  Here is the thought from Psalms 106: Israel's rebellion and God's Mercies- This is what the whole chapter is about.  It goes over and over the good things that God has done for the Israelites and the many times the nation forgot God and worshipped the idols of the land.  Keep in mind, these were not just idols, but "wicked idolatry".  Not only did they worship the calves they made in Horeb ("the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.")  BUT... they "joined themselves also unto Baalpeor" (worship by fornication); "ate the sacrifices of the dead" (ate of the people they sacrificed); "sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils"; "shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan".  In fact, it got so bad that God "abhorred his own inheritance".  Now, here are the two thoughts:  1. When you stray from God.... you cannot comprehend how far you will go!  What man in Israel would have ever imagined them sacrificing their own children to some dumb idol?  Once you start doing the devils work, you start acting like a devil!  This is just what happened.  Don't let it happen to you dear friend....  (They never thought it would happen to them, but they let their guard down!  Stay in a good Bible believing Church and go forward with God!) 2. God's Mercy is beyond imagination.  With all of this wickedness going on, God still came through with acts of mercy each time the people called out to Him.  "He remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies".  Wow!  His love is beyond our ability to understand.  How do you forgive and show mercy to such crimes?  God can and God does when people look to Him for mercy!  Thank the LORD!! Well, you have a blessed day!  Pastor Mike Mutchler