Remembering God

Psalm 106

Pastor Myron Wattenphul

July 16, 2006

I have picked this topic because I need reminders. I find that if I don’t rehearse something, I will forget. Can anyone relate to that? I have to use a person’s name several times before the name sticks in my mind. I use to be able to find places easily after I was there only one or two times. Now it takes several times going to the same place before I am confident finding the place again. I blame this in part because of where we live. The way the roads curve all over the place, a person never knows which direction he is going. I come from the flat country of Northwestern Minnesota where the roads are straight and go the same direction until you decide to turn. Some are calling this problem an old timer’s problem or the A.G.E. syndrome. What ever is happening, it is connected to my memory.

Will you agree with me, that memory is important? Memory helps us to be where we are purpose to be. Memory will help keep us from committing the same mistake over and over again. Our shared memories connect us to one another; memory is also the starting point for everything that we do. Some people can do good things by accident, but most good things come from using our minds and our memory. One person I worked with often said, “I can do more by mistake (or without using his mind) than most people can do on purpose.” He was tearing down others to make self look better and smarter. He did not last long because of his proud attitude. Our minds and our memories are the basis from which we do everything. What would any of us do without our memories?

Perhaps we can look at memory by using some computer terms. God has placed in our heads a multi-gigabyte memory capability. If you are young, you know these terms. I am still learning computer language. Some people use their memory to their fullest capacity and some people seem to use as little as possible. Some have a good memory processor others have a slower one and some of us may wonder if the brain process works at all. Our memory and recall is dependant on what we have put into our hard-drive (mind), remembering that our memory is only as good as the data we have entered. What we have stored in our memory will form our attitudes, memory will influence our desires and our memory will ultimately determine whatever actions we choose to take.

To illustrate, we do not touch fire because we remember what heat from the fire feels like. My son stopped playing baseball, in part, because he remembers getting hit by a ball and that ball hurt. People do not let others get too close because they remember getting hurt in another relationship. Other things that influence our memory: We remember what someone said, or what they did, or how they dress, all of these things form an attitude about them in our minds. A charismatic speaker will motivate people with their special psychological appeal, hoping that you will respond to a cause. You can see how our memory will influence our attitudes, give motivation and initiate our actions.

God tells us to remember Him and keep fresh in our minds who God is, who we are as humans and what God has provided. If you do not know or cannot remember God, of what good is He? Please open your Bibles and turn to Psalm 106. This Psalm teaches us about life, and encourages us to remember God. The Psalm also reminds us of what hinders the memory, and tells us what God has provided. Our trouble starts when we forget God and fill our minds with the wrong stuff. The writer of this Psalm points to that truth which is found in the 7^th verse. “Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Thy wonders; they did not remember Thine abundant kindnesses, but rebelled at the sea, the Red Sea.” Psalm 106 also leads us to consider three “P’s”: The presence of God, the pretence of man, and the provision of God. What memories do you and I have stored in our minds, concerning God?

First, let’s consider the presence of God. The writer begins by describing the immensity of God. God is a big God. In Verse 2 we read, “Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the Lord, or can show forth all His praise?” God is beyond any and all comprehension, we can only know Him in part because He is so incredible. He is bigger than big, He is more powerful than any power, He has unlimited resources, and He is able to meet the needs of everyone at the same time. Have you ever stopped to think about the bigness of God? Take some time and think about the incredible bigness of God. All too often people think of God as a little tool for them to use when there is a need.

I ask you, would prefer a big God or a small limited god? Think of this, how capable are you or I? What if God were only as capable as you or I? Would He be of much help? Would He have enough resources to fill the needs of everyone? Would He be able to keep His promises? Would a small god be worthy of trust, praise, honor, and worship? I believe beyond a shadow of doubt that God is who He says He is and that knowledge is comforting. We must remember that God is beyond all comprehension. He is able to keep every promise that He has made, meet all of our needs and is worthy of our allegiance. Anything less, in my mind, would not be God.

God’s presence also includes His care for us. The Psalm says in verses 4-5, “Remember me, O Lord, in the favor toward thy people; visit me with thy salvation, that I may see the prosperity of thy chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory in Thine inheritance.” God’s presence will provide us with His salvation, He provides the prosperity that we enjoy, He provides real joy and gladness with His presence, and most of all, He provides His people with an incredible inheritance, eternity with Christ Jesus in heaven. Because of God’s eternal presence, we can enjoy God’s blessing, which is perfect for us in every way. Our difficulty might come from our personal expectations of God. We might expect God to give us more stuff, better health or make life easier for us and when we don’t get our way we blame God or give up on Him. When we understand God’s provisions more completely, then we begin to understand that material things are not God’s primary goal for people. He provides for physical life, but more importantly, He provides for our spiritual and eternal needs completely.

In your mind, do you have a healthy memory of God and His presence? Without a firm knowledge of God imbedded in our minds, sin will creep in and a person will move into treacherous waters that lead to destruction. Sin will damage our memories when we take our minds off the living God. Man, found in this generation is no different than the nation of Israel 3,500 years ago, when this psalm was written. The Psalm shows us what happened to people then, what happens to people today and what applies in every generation. Verse 6, “We have sinned like our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have behaved wickedly.” Sin will bread pretence in mankind which is a belief that man can take care of himself. Pretension says that man has a right to rule his own life and the person can indulge in anything he desires. This claim is against God because it makes man lord of his own life and self sufficient when God tells us to rely on Him and His Lordship.

The pretension of man quickly erases God from the memory. Verse 13, “They quickly forgot His works; they did not wait for his counsel.” This forgetful stubbornness exists in the hearts of many people who go to church and in those who claim a relationship with Christ. Today, churches are full of people who have no real interest in God, only an interested in themselves. I hope that all of us here are here for the right reason and if you are not, then my prayer for you will that you find what you need.

Our memories are short as Scripture points out in the book of James chapter 1. “He is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror, for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of a person he was.” Scripture is correct, man’s memory is short. The pretence of man also causes him to revolt against authority. The people revolted against Moses & Aaron as we can see in Psalm 106:16. Do you know anyone who has gone contrary to God’s way? Have you rebelled against authority? I have, and the reason is primarily poor memory.

We may rebel for many reasons; first, we may believe that we will never get caught, forgetting that nothing happens without God knowing. Or, we believe that we are better than any authority, or above the law, or we think that we are wiser than anyone else, or else we just forget there are consequences for our disobedience. We may rebel for many other reasons, because we forget and more tragically, we forget God.

Man’s pretentious nature will also lead him into idolatry. Psalm 106:19, “They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped a molten image.” Idolatry comes in many shapes and sizes not just religious symbols. Idolatry happens when we worship what is created above the creator. We can talk about our wonderful families. We can talk about God’s provisions (all of the material things that we have). We can delight in where we work. I hope everyone who works, enjoys their work. But the problem comes from pride. Because of man’s sinful pretension, talk becomes prideful, and boasting becomes idolatry. Pride and bragging is a natural instinct for everyone; and that battle will always be with us. We need the help of God’s Holy Spirit to maintain control of those tendencies. Also, without God, man will seek an unholy alliance. Psalm 106:28, “They joined themselves also to Baal-peor, and ate sacrifices offered to the dead.” Because we are not made to be completely self sufficient, man will align himself with others.

Bob Dylan, several years ago, wrote a song Gotta Serve Somebody. In the song he writes, “Well, it may be the Devil, or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.” People crave companionship and social acceptance. This craving must be satisfied by something. Where are you seeking companionship and placing your allegiance? Where are you seeking your help? Does your memory bring you to God or does your mind lead you and take you somewhere else?

The pretension of man will lead you to disobedience (verse 34). “They did not destroy the peoples, as the Lord commanded them.” I will not get into why God would order a nation to conquer another, but He did and His people disobeyed. The sinful, pretentious nature of man will move you farther and farther away from God. Sin will make you disobedient towards God and that is not a good place to be. I know that we do not have to be separated from God. You see, every person is born with a desire that is only satisfied by Christ. Sin will leave a person lonely and empty; Christ will fill the spiritual void that exists in every person. Sin will reap the consequences of disobedience; Christ will bring us into right relationship with God. Each person must choose what will occupy their mind, pretension or God. Where is your focus?

The final point I would like to make from this Psalm explains some of the provisions that God has made for us. The provisions of God offer two basic possibilities and many who are here know those provisions. They are His judgment or His blessing and everyone must choose. Giving man this opportunity makes people responsible for taking the first step. You may choose the way of pretension, and try to erase God from your memory, or, you may follow God and accept His way.

We can choose the way of pretence, rejecting God and experience His wrath. “Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against His people, and he abhorred His inheritance” (Psalm 106:40). I do not believe that anyone here has experienced the wrath of God and I hope nobody will ever know God’s wrath. God’s description of His wrath, as found in Scripture, is nothing to wish on anyone, including an enemy. God’s wrath is complete and final, but never unjust.

People who have accepted Christ as their savior may experience God’s discipline. This is explained further in the Bible which is found in the New Testament book of Hebrews. In addition, God may allow certain hardships to come our way, but this is to make us stronger and better people. But, I do not believe that anyone has endured God’s wrath. God’s wrath is characterized by the flood of Noah’s day or the judgment against Sodom & Gomorrah in Abraham’s day. These two events are found in the Old Testament part of the Bible. Both are events of great catastrophe. I would rather not dwell on God’s wrath, but we must think about God’s wrath so we don’t forget. I would much rather remember the good news, and the fact we do not have to endure God’s wrath. How about you?

God has offered to us His grace (giving people what they do not deserve) and mercy (not giving people what they rightfully deserved). We are offered salvation through Christ instead of sure judgment and wrath for willful disobedience, all because of God’s grace and mercy. Psalm 106: 44-46, “Nevertheless He looked upon their distress, when they heard their cry; and He remembered His covenant for their sake, And relented according to the greatness of His lovingkindness. He also made them objects for compassion in the presence of all their captures.” God freely gives us his salvation and many here have accepted God’s gift. This great gift is available to everyone who will accept Christ and remember God and live in a manner worthy of His great kindness.

In closing, everyone has some idea of God. Otherwise I do not think that you would be sitting here. Well, maybe some of you are here without wanting to be or knowing the purpose. But I will challenge you to answer this question in your mind. What memories have you stored in your mind about God? People may have images, we may attach character traits or maybe some people can visualize the many capabilities of God. But, is your memory consistent with God’s word so that your memory is corrected? Are you in pursuit of the knowledge of God? The Bible says, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on those things” (Philippians 4:8). Good and positive things for your mind come from God and we must dwell on His knowledge.

Is God a big God in your mind? Is God able to fulfill your needs, give wise council and provide hope in a world where little is given? Is your memory full of God’s presence acknowledging God for His gracious provisions? Some may say, “What has God ever done for me?” These are people who have not looked for God. We also find in the Bible in the book of James, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Each of us must draw near to God, then, we will experience His mighty provisions.

If you have a healthy view of God; then you will have a healthy relationship with Him as well. A healthy relationship with God brings fulfillment to life, adding joy and contentment that goes beyond human comprehension. Nothing that comes your way will cause fear or anxiety, because you know that almighty God is with you. I challenge all of us to pursue an intimate relationship with God, and maintain a healthy memory, always making sure that God is never forgotten. Amen!

For Sunday School, We will continue our focus on God. Who is God? How do you reason with others as to His existence? Come to class and join us for more discussion about God.is murcymmmm mmm