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“HOW
SOON WE FORGET” #1) Again, and again, and again, and again… A) Psalms106:1-3 We today, like Israel have a reason to praise God. 1) We have a reason to give thanks because God is SO GOOD to us. 2) In fact God is SO GOOD to us that no one is really able to utter all His mighty acts? 3) There isn’t enough time in a thousand lives’s to praise God, as he deserves to be praised. 4) Yet, those who will keep God’s judgment and do righteousness AT ALL TIMES are blessed. 5) Tomorrow is the 5th anniversary of 9/11 and we will memorialize those who were lost in that tragedy. 6) On 9/11/01 our country as a whole cried out to God for help and comfort… 7) And God delivered to us a renewed passion and reliance upon Him. 8) God became the source of strength and hope that so many desperately needed. B) It was through the tragedy of 9/11 that we as a country turned to the only real source of help available. 1) It was through 9/11 that the country as a whole banded together with a renewed dependence upon God. 2) But I want us to again notice clearly what Psalms 106:3 says, “…at all times.” 3) Barna Group conducted a survey just before 9/11/01, just after 9/11/01 and just within the last weeks all were concerning the spiritual condition of Christians in the US. 4) Let me read to you a quote from the Barna Group that reveals a sad fact, quote… 5) “Our poles show that despite an intense surge in religious activity and expressions in the weeks immediately following 9/11 the faith of Americans is virtually indistinguishable today compared to pre attack conditions.” 6) In other words we as a nation have in just five short years reverted back to our old ways of FORGETTING God. 7) We aren’t “keeping judgment” and we aren’t “doing righteousness at all times” 8) The entire chapter of Psalms 106 gives Israel’s history from Egypt to the days of King David… 9) We see a reoccurring pattern of crying to God for help, being delivered and then going back to their old ways. C) For the sake of time I will give you a break down of Psalm 106... 1) Verses 6-12 speaks of the sins committed in Egypt and at the Red Sea… 2) Verses 13-15 speak of their lusting for the old life while in the wilderness. 3) Verses 16-18 speak of the people murmuring against Aaron and Moses… 4) Verses 19-23 speaks of the people worshipping the golden calf… 5) Verses 24-27 speaks of the people despising the Promised Land… 6) The charges of Israel’s sin simply goes on and on. 7) Here we are as a country just five years after 9/11 and we have reverted back to pre 9/11 conditions spiritually. 8) Psalms 106: 9-13 This sounds exactly like what WE as a country have done, WE have forgotten. 9) The evening of 9/11/01 our leaders gathered on the front steps of the capitol and sang “God Bless America”. 10) Following 9/11 dozens of secular songs were written praising God for His goodness, proclaiming faith in Jesus… 11) Our churches were filled with first time visitors seeking Gods comfort and praising him for it. 12) Yet we just like Israel as verse 13 says have soon forgot. D) Here in our text we see that Israel SOON FORGOT that God had delivered them from the hand of their enemy… 1) Exodus 14:30-15:2 The people feared God and they sang praises to God… 2) In fact in Exodus 15:2 they realize that God was their salvation. 3) The Israelites had finally been delivered by God from 400 years of hard bondage in an amazing miraculous way, BUT… 4) Again they soon forgot God, they forgot his blessings and deliverance, HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT TOOK? 5) Did it take 1 year to forget? Two years? Three years? Lets see exactly how long it took. 6) Exodus 15:22-24 Three days is all it took for Israel to forget God and how he delivered them. 7) How long does it take us to forget Gods deliverance? 8) We like Israel tend to forget fairly quickly all that Gods done for us. #2) Let’s not forget our Savior. A) God gives us some amazing truths to learn from in His word if we truly want to learn. 1) In fact Paul tells us in Corinthians that these things happened for our ensamples or examples. 2) Psalms 78:29-37 This is referring again to Israel after they were delivered from Egypt… 3) While the blessings of Gods deliverance from starvation was still in their mouth they sinned and believed not. 4) How did God respond? He brought trouble to them and slew them, WHY? 5) Psalms 78:34 This was the only thing that would cause the people to return and inquire after God… 6) Sometimes the greatest blessings we ever experience are born out of tough times. 7) Sometime the only way we will remember God is when we have nowhere else to turn for help but to God. 8) God knows this, he understands and he knows that this is what’s best for us. B) Psalms 78:35-37 Praise God that he is “…full of compassion…” 1) Praise God that we don’t get what we deserve… 2) If it weren’t for Gods forgiveness we would be absolutely without hope. 3) I am so thankful that God doesn’t forget as we do… 4) He hasn’t forgot His promises to us who have called out for eternal salvation. 5) He hasn’t forgot his mercy toward us even though we forget his mercy. 6) Psalms 106:4 “Remember me, O Lord, with the favor that thou bearest to thy people: O visit me with thy salvation” 7) In Luke the thief on the cross asked Jesus to remember him, and Jesus did, that very day he was saved and in paradise with Jesus. 8) Praise God that Christ visited us with His salvation… 9) This sermon began with praise and it should end with praise… 10) Psalms 106:1;48 This Psalm begins and ends with praise even though in between is filled with difficulties. 11) Maybe you have forgotten God for a season but praise God you have this opportunity to remember him… 12) And if you don’t know him you have the opportunity to know Jesus as your personal savior today. 13) There has never been a moment in your existence that you haven’t been in Gods thoughts… 14)
Each of us were on Christ mind as he sacrificed his self in our place
paying our penalty for our sin.
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