I’m sure you’ve been there, too, at some time or another. Though we may go to great lengths to remember something important, like a special day, special event, or special appointment, Psalm 106 tells us the one thing we should never forget: the multitude of God’s mercies. When the Israelites found themselves cornered at the Red Sea by Pharaoh’s army, on their journey out of Egypt, Psalm 106:7 tragically notes they did not remember the multitude of God’s mercies. (Psalm 106:7)
After being slaves in Egypt for more than 400 years, the Lord puts pressure on Pharaoh, to let His people go, though a series of plagues. Despite the horrible plagues that afflicted every Egyptian, Pharaoh stubbornly refuses to let God’s people go—until finally, after the death of the firstborn in Egypt, Pharaoh begrudgingly sends the Israelites away to start a new life, free from slavery. (Exodus 12:31-32)
During the plagues in Egypt, the Israelites experienced the multitude of God’s mercies as He made a distinction between them and the Egyptians. (Exodus 9:4) While the Egyptians livestock were dying left and right, during the plague of livestock, not one animal belonging to the Israelites died. (Exodus 9:4-6) When the Lord sent the plague of hail on Egypt, “Throughout Egypt hail struck everything in the fields—both men and animals; it beat down everything growing in the fields and stripped every tree. The only place it did not hail was the land of Goshen, where the Israelites were.” (Exodus 9:25-26)
Despite these great mercies, and so many others, when the Israelites saw Pharaoh’s army charging towards them, at the Red Sea, with no where for then to escape, instead of remembering the multitude of God’s mercies, confidently trusting that God would somehow, someway deliver them from the Egyptians, the Israelites panicked. (Exodus 14:10-12) Spurgeon described their panic for what it was: "“doubting God’s power to deliver, and questioning his faithfulness to his promise.”1
Unless we make an effort to remember the multitude of God’s mercies, like we do for anything important we want to remember, when trials come up we will be so distracted by our difficult circumstances and, like the Israelites, we will soon forget the good works of God in our life (Psalm 106:13)--failing to remember the multitude of God’s mercies.
Despite how our circumstances appear, we can rest in the promise of Jeremiah 29:11, in which God promises us, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” With this in mind, our trials will feel like less of a trial when we remember the multitude of His mercies. Why? Because we will remember the good works the Lord has worked in our life and know that if God worked all those blessings in our life up to now, He certainly will continue to lavish His mercies on us and somehow, someway work our discouraging circumstances to good. (Romans 8:28)
So how can we best remember the multitude of His mercies so we do not soon forget His Works or worse yet, when trials come, doubt God’s power to deliver us and question His faithfulness in keeping His promises?
Do whatever you have to do to remember. If that is by daily journaling the various ways God blessed you and answered your prayers then do that. If it is noting on your calendar a special way the Lord worked in your day then do that. Whatever works for you in your busy life is what will be the best way for you to remember the multitude of His mercies so when trials come you will not soon forget His works in your life. (Psalm 106:7, 13)
As you begin recording the various ways the Lord is blessing you and answering your prayers, when trials come, and you re-read the multitude of His mercies in your life, you will notice that you will feel much less worried, much more at peace, and much more confident in the Lord to see you through. Try it and see.
Copyright © 2010 Brooke Espinoza.
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Spurgeon, Charles. Treasury of David: Psalm 106. http://www.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps106.htm
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