Psalm 106  Although this psalm starts out as many others, " Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good..."  it quickly turns into a history lesson.  A history lesson that reviews the many failures of the nation of Israel.  " We have sinned like our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have behaved wickedly." The psalmist once again paints us a picture, this time one that is dark:

It starts out in Egypt.
They didn't understand God's "wonders".
They didn't remember His kindness to them.
They "rebelled at the Red Sea."
But, God saved them anyway, leading them through on dry ground and closing the waters over the enemies.

Then, they believed, but it did not last. In the wilderness they:
Forgot His works.
Didn't wait for His counsel.
" Craved intensely"  and "tempted God"
And God gave them what they wanted, however, He also sent a disease among them.

Next, they became envious of Moses and Aaron and rebelled against God's appointed leaders.
And, God opened the earth to consume the wicked.

They made a calf out of gold at Horeb.
They "exchanged their glory for the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God their Savior."
God wanted to destroy them, but Moses interceded.

Then they refused to enter Canaan.
" They did not believe in His word."
They grumbled.
They wouldn't listen to the voice of the Lord.
God judged them there in the wilderness, refusing them their chance to enter the promised land.

They started worshipping idols.
They ate "sacrifices offered to the dead."
They so provoked God that He sent a plague upon them.
But, Phinehas stood up and interceded and the plague stopped.

They provoked God at Maribah.
They rebelled again and made Moses so mad that he spoke rashly and lost his chance to enter the Land.

They didn't destroy the peoples in their new land when they finally entered.
But, instead mingled with them, learned their ways, and worshipped their idols.
They "even sacrificed their sons and daughters to the demons, and shed innocent blood...." 
They became unclean.
They " played the harlot". 
They kindled the Lord's anger.
He gave them to the nations.
They were oppressed.
They were subdued.
Every time He would deliver them they rebelled and "sank down in their iniquity."

"Nevertheless He looked upon their distress, when He heard their cry; and He remembered His covenant for their sake and relented according to the greatness of His lovingkindness. "

"Save us , O Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, to give thanks to Thy holy name, and glory in Thy praise. "

They didn't understand.
They didn't remember.
They didn't believe.
They wanted their stomachs filled.
They wanted their own power.
They wanted their own gods.
They wanted their own iniquities.
Over and over again these same sins are played out in every nation, ( so true of our nation today)...and in every individual.
Yet, over and over again, God hears our cry for help. remembers His promises, and saves us. 

O tidings of comfort and joy!
God rest you merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy, 
O tidings of comfort and joy!

Gracious and kind Father , thank You for being infinitely patient with us.  Thank You for sending Jesus to save us, even while we were yet sinners.. How good You are!  Keep our steps on Your path and our hearts in Your love today, I ask in the Name of the Wonderful Savior, Jesus, Amen.