Doing devo’s at SeaTac airport this morning as I wait to get on a plane bound for Maui. Heading there the day before what would have been Sue’s 60th birthday. Coming back the day after what would have been our 38th anniversary. Looking forward to a time of rest, relaxation, reflection, and, Lord willing, renewal.

Something in Psalm 106 catches my attention as I sip on my Starbucks and chew on His word. Perhaps a theme verse for this break . . .

They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.

(Psalm 106:21-22 ESV)

Great things. Wondrous works. Awesome deeds. That’s just how our God, our Savior, rolls! Did it when He delivered the people from the bondage of Egypt through the Red Sea. Did it when He delivered Christ’s bride from the bondage of sin and death through the cross of Calvary.

And if there’s anything the first half of Psalm 106 says, it says that nothing good comes from forgetting.

After going through the Red Sea, God’s people “believed His words; they sang His praise” (v.12). But then, “they soon forgot” how they had been rescued. Which led to them not waiting to hear His counsel. Which spawned a “wanton craving” and, ultimately, they “put God to the test” (v.13-14).

A bit of forgetfulness resulted in a whole lot of pain. A lack of remembrance would bear the fruit of regret. Taking their eyes off of the Redeemer, left them to their own devices and so, says the songwriter, God “gave them what they asked” (v.15). Next think you know . . . POOF!!! . . . they made a calf at Horeb . . . they worshiped a metal image . . .they exchanged the glory of God for a cheap imitation (v.19-20). They forgot God.

Had it not been for the intercession of Moses, had it not been that God’s chosen one stood in the breach before Him, they would have been done like dinner.

Forgetfulness. Complacency. A taking for granted. An attitude devoid of intense gratitude. Nothing good comes from it.

But beyond a “sinful forgetfulness” which of us hasn’t known a “distracted forgetfulness?” Suffering distracting us from the Savior. The worries of life averting our gaze from the wonders of God. Our pursuit of stuff that may be good, causing what is awesome to be forgotten.

Oh, that we would take time . . . regular time . . . enough time . . . to consider afresh great things, wondrous works, and awesome deeds.

Behold our great salvation . . . past, present, and future.

See the wondrous work of sanctification!  Sure, sometimes it seems like two steps forward, one step back, but who but God would patiently work in us to bear increasingly the likeness of His Son?

Let your jaw drop at His awesome deeds–grace sufficient for every need, mercies new every morning, faithfulness never ceasing.

Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD, or declare all His praise?

(Psalm 106:1-2 ESV)

WE CAN!!! . . . if we but take time to remember.

By His grace. For His glory.