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The Journey of Faith
Psalm 105
Andy Nagagara
A. Looking to the past for the sake of the future (1-11, 45)
Like Psalms 103 and 104, Psalms 105 is also a long psalm, but I am going to discuss it in one sermon instead of dividing it. Having said that, tLike Psalms 103 and 104, Psalms 105 is also a long psalm, but I am going to discuss it in one sermon instead of dividing it. Having said that, the content of this Psalm is mainly a recount of what is written in Genesis. So today I would like to suggest to you that you read a little bit of what is written in this Psalm every day of this week, from Monday to Saturday. For families with children, you can read the Psalm together, or parents can read it first and tell it to their children in easy words. If possible, you can write down the most memorable part of the story.
So, this morning I’m going to give you an overview of the verses, what they mean to us, and an explanation of each of them, reading through verse 11 and the last verse 45.
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
So, this morning I’m going to give you an overview of the verses, what they mean to us, and an explanation of each of them, reading through verse 11 and the last verse 45.
The Psalms were sung as worship songs during the Jewish service, and as I told you, the 105th Psalm is a recount of the Exodus. The Psalmist recommends knowing and remembering the events of the past, saying that it is important to follow the Lord’s laws and teachings. We have talked many times about the Exodus as the foundation of the Israelites’ faith in God. It was certainly a symbolic event, but this Psalm confirms that the Exodus was actually part of the grand promise (eternal covenant) that God gave to Abraham.
So why and how does this relate to us who are not Jews? The reason is that God recognized Abraham not only as the father of his people, but also as the father of those who follow Him. You can read more about this in Genesis 17, which is our planned reading for Tuesday. Even if you’re not a Jew, it can be a great source of strength, encouragement, and comfort to look back at the steps they took in following the path of faith. That is why we should also look back on the journey that the people took in following God the Lord’s teachings. Now, let’s talk about the key points of each section.
B. A journey to the promised land
1. Monday: An eternal covenant (1-11, Genesis 15)
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, O descendants of Abraham his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.” (1-11)
Tomorrow we will read up to verse 11, which we just read, and chapter 15 of Genesis. The point is “contract (or an agreement/covenant)”. When we think of a contract, we usually think of a bilateral contract where both parties are responsible, like a sales contract. However, God’s covenant with Abraham is a unilateral contract, like a gift, in which God is unilaterally responsible. So, we can say that it was a promise made by God. And this covenant is a covenant given to the descendants of Abraham, that is, to all who follow God. It is the starting point of our journey of faith as well. However, the Promised Land is the “fulfilment of the Kingdom of God” (God’s complete rule) for those of us who live in the time of Jesus.
2. Tuesday: The journey begins (12-15, Genesis 17)
When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it, they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings: “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” (12-15)
Tuesday is for verses 12-15 and chapter 17 of Genesis. As mentioned earlier, God, who had revealed Himself to Israel, expressed that His covenant to Abraham was a promise that extended to all people. However, at that time, Abraham was the father of a small tribe of people who had no land of their own, who could have easily perished, and who had no choice but to reside in the larger nations around them. I am sure that all of you have also made up your minds to follow the Lord because you remember the difficulties of the life in this world. It was a very uncomfortable start, but God made this “small people” a symbol of His salvation. Please know that your journey with God is not only for you, but also for the blessings of all people around you.
3. Wednesday: The road to Egypt (16-22, Genesis 37)
He called down famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food; and he sent a man before them– Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the LORD proved him true. The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples set him free. He made him master of his household, ruler over all he possessed, to instruct his princes as he pleased and teach his elders wisdom. (16-22)
Wednesday is for verses 16-22 and Genesis chapter 37. The times have moved to the time of Abraham’s grandson, Jacob. The key person here is Jacob’s son, Joseph. Joseph’s life was truly dramatic. If you are someone who likes drama, you will certainly read past Genesis 37 without stopping. You will find yourself convinced that God’s will is done far beyond human activities and intentions. God uses not only the good intentions of people but also the bad intentions of people to guide the journey of His people. It is a verse that makes us realize the grace that is abundantly given to us when we believe in the Lord and follow Him through good and bad times.
4. Thursday: The sojourn in Egypt (23-24, Genesis 47)
Then Israel entered Egypt; Jacob lived as an alien in the land of Ham. The LORD made his people very fruitful; he made them too numerous for their foes, (23-24)
Thursday is for verses 23-24 and Genesis chapter 47. In the land of Israel, God allowed his people to prosper, but it is easy to imagine that (prospering) as a big threat to the Egyptians. Of course, the people were not yet aware of the great suffering that lay ahead. They were enjoying their life in Egypt. Japan also experienced a time of prosperity. I recently had the opportunity to listen to a pastor who is in his twenties. His generation has not experienced the time when Japan was prospering. They only have the impression of Japan as a country that is getting poorer and poorer, where life is getting harder and harder. That’s why he taught me how to look at society and how to think about the future of the church. If you are suffering, you don’t have to lose the perspective that it is a temporary home, but if you are in prosperity, it looks like a permanent place to live.
5. Friday: Exodus (25-38, Exodus 14)
whose hearts he turned to hate his people, to conspire against his servants. He sent Moses his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen. They performed his miraculous signs among them, his wonders in the land of Ham. He sent darkness and made the land dark– for had they not rebelled against his words? He turned their waters into blood, causing their fish to die. Their land teemed with frogs, which went up into the bedrooms of their rulers. He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country. He turned their rain into hail, with lightning throughout their land; he struck down their vines and fig trees and shattered the trees of their country. He spoke, and the locusts came, grasshoppers without number; they ate up every green thing in their land, ate up the produce of their soil. Then he struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their manhood. He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold, and from among their tribes no one faltered. Egypt was glad when they left, because dread of Israel had fallen on them. (25-38)
Friday is for verses 25-38 and Exodus chapter 14. During this time, the Israelites were suffering from slavery in Egypt. God raises up Moses to lead the people to the Promised Land, but the Egyptians are reluctant to let them go because of the slave labor. The danger to the people continues until the very end. The people were also in such fear that they would rather stay in slavery in Egypt than be killed. Our exodus is a spiritual one. We are not going anywhere beyond our borders. In the midst of people who do not take Jesus as Lord, we will not turn our backs on them, but rather help and cooperate with them to bring equality and peace to the world. On the outside, nothing will change. The difference is that we seek the Lord’s will, His guidance, and His help in our walk.
6. Saturday: The road to Canaan (39-45, Joshua 1)
He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night. They asked, and he brought them quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert. For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham. He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy; he gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for– (39-44)
45 that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws. Praise the LORD.
Saturday is for verses 39-45 and the first chapter of Joshua. When they left Egypt, most of the people thought it would be a short trip and that they would arrive in Canaan quickly, but in fact, they had to wait 40 years. Obviously, there was a generational change during the journey. Moses himself did not make it into the Promised Land alive. How did the people live through this unexpected time? I mentioned in the beginning that Canaan for us is the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God. Looking at human activities on earth, it seems that we are not only close to it, but even heading for destruction. But the Lord continued to lead (the people) , and the people entered Canaan. No matter what time of the year it is, our Lord will lead us like “a cloud spread out for a covering and fire to light the night.
(Prayer)
Thank you, Lord, for revealing yourself to each and every one of us and for helping us understand your promises. Thank you for giving us the confidence to follow you, and for continuing to guide us. Forgive us for remaining afraid, complaining, and doubting You. Use us to trust in you, to love as you do, and to let your thoughts be expressed in this world, even if only a little. We thank you for your grace, and may we continue to walk as those who worship and praise you with all our hearts.
Summary
We are all on a journey of faith. Let us journey toward the kingdom of God, recalling God’s provisions in the past, and praising and worshipping God, just like the Israelites.
For Discussion
1) Why should we sing to God, recalling his provisions and mercies in our past?
2) What is the most significant event you recall on your journey of faith?