Psalms 105:33-45: a reflection

33He struck their vines and also their fig trees, and shattered the trees of their country. 34He spoke, and the locusts came with the grasshoppers, without number. 35They ate up every plant in their land, and ate up the fruit of their ground. 36He struck also all the firstborn in their land, the first fruits of all their manhood. 37He brought them out with silver and gold. There was not one feeble person among his tribes. 38Egypt was glad when they departed, for the fear of them had fallen on them. 39He spread a cloud for a covering, fire to give light in the night. 40They asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of the sky. 41He opened the rock, and waters gushed out. They ran as a river in the dry places. 42For he remembered his holy word, and Abraham, his servant. 43He brought his people out with joy, his chosen with singing. 44He gave them the lands of the nations. They took the labor of the peoples in possession, 45that they might keep his statutes, and observe his laws. Praise the LORD!

This psalm rehearses the exodus, the plagues on Egypt, the pillar of cloud and fire, quail and manna, water gushing from the rock, and it names the reason behind all of it in one line: for he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant. The whole great deliverance flowed from God remembering his word. He had promised Abraham centuries before, and he did not forget.

Notice that God's faithfulness has a long memory. Generations had passed, the people had been enslaved for centuries, and it might have seemed the old promise had lapsed. But God remembered. His deliverances are not impulses of the moment; they are the keeping of promises made long ago. What he says, he remembers, even across generations, even when we have forgotten he ever said it.

And notice how the psalm ends, with the purpose of it all: he brought them out with joy, and gave them the lands of the nations, that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. The rescue was not only from something but for something, for a life lived in his ways, in relationship with him. God's deliverance always has that shape. He remembers his promise and rescues you, and he rescues you into a life meant to be lived for him. Trust the God whose memory keeps his promises, and live the freedom he gives as it was meant, for him.

Lord, your deliverances flow from your long memory, keeping promises made generations before. Thank you that you do not forget your word, even when I have. And having rescued me, help me live the freedom you give as it was meant, for you, keeping your ways.