Our Forgetfulness vs God’s Faithfulness - Psalms 78-80

 Psalms 78:39-43 (ESV)

39 He remembered that they were but flesh,

a wind that passes and comes not again.

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness

and grieved him in the desert!

41 They tested God again and again

and provoked the Holy One of Israel.

42 They did not remember his power

or the day when he redeemed them from the foe,

43 when he performed his signs in Egypt

and his marvels in the fields of Zoan.

Psalm 78 has much structure to it. It is divided into sections to review the history of Israel and to portray how they responded to God’s grace during that time of history.  In the above section we have verse 39, which is the closing verse of one section and then verses 40-43, which is another separate section.   The reason to include verse 39 in this journal entry about section 40-43 is to highlight the issue that the entire song is meant to convey.  Despite Israel being given blessing after blessing they would simply forget God’s grace to them.  BUT, God knew they were but flesh and would continue to give them more and more evidence of His grace.   They would not “remember” HIs power and grace, however.   They would test Him again and again.  Their rebelling was based upon their failure to remember God’s power and privileges.  He knows we are flesh.   This is why we must constantly be in God’s Word to be reminded of His great power and His abundant grace in our lives.  We can often go through our day without even recalling His amazing care for us.  Our flesh is weak.  Jesus said it this way:

Mark 14:38 (ESV)

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Reading God’s Word, praying God’s Word into our hearts strengthens our heart and our flesh.   We must constantly be reminding ourselves of His amazing blessings He gives us.  Psalm 78 tells us of their forgetfulness but it was written to remind them of God’s faithfulness.