Beyond giving thanks to the LORD and making known among the nations what He has done, Psalm 105:1-11 also enjoins us to “sing praise to His name, tell of His wonderful acts, and to remember God’s wonders, miracles, and judgments” (verses 1-5). We are to take “glory in His holy name; let our hearts rejoice, and look to Him and His strength - seeking His face always” (verse 3). God “remembers His everlasting covenant with Israel forever – for a thousand generations” (verses 8-10). God has “promised to give Israel the land of Canaan – their inheritance” (verse 11). This Psalm reminds us of all the great things that God has done for His people – the nation of Israel. But we are also His people, and all that He has accomplished for Israel is His evidence that He wants to do as much for us. We should sing His praises, tell of His wonderful acts, and remember His wonders and judgments. Only by doing these things on a moment-by-moment basis can we take “glory in His holy name and rejoice” (verse 3). Glorifying God serves as a viable example that overcomes the sad, desperate state of our world.
Today we come to the book of Isaiah, and we want to remember that Isaiah and Micah lived and prophesied contemporaneously. Isaiah’s prophecies are warnings of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem, and he foretells the Babylonian exile and the coming of Messiah (cf., chapters 7, 9, 11, 35, 50, 52, 53, 59. 63, and 66). Isaiah’s message also envisions the hope that the nation will once again be restored in the future under a righteous, suffering Servant (cf., chapter 11). The introduction of the book contains a powerful but timely rebuke for Israel and for us: “The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know; my people do not understand” (verse 3). We need to examine ourselves (cf., 2 Corinthians 13:5). Do we know Him? Do we understand? God created us with more sense than that of an ox or a donkey, but do we really know Him? We were created by God to know Him intimately, but unlike Israel, we need to ensure that we have not rejected Him. For Israel’s rejection, we don’t wonder that God promised them, “I will not listen” (verse 15). Indeed, may we heed the warnings of Isaiah.
We also close the book of Micah in our readings today. In Micah 6:3-7:20, we see the LORD’s court case against Israel (verse 2). “What have I done to you?” God asks. “How have I burdened you?” (verse 3). Here, the LORD lays out specifically His requirements for us all: “He has showed you, O man, what is good and what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (verse 8). Micah then exposes the wickedness of the people and promises that God will destroy them “because of your sins” (verse 13). In chapter 7, Micah expresses his personal sorrow over Israel’s misery (verses 1-6), but maintains his “hope” (verse 7). He concludes his book with praise for God – “Who is a God like you, Who pardons sin and forgives transgression … You do not stay angry forever, but delight to show mercy” (verse 18). Thank God for His mercy to us!
In 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2, Paul addresses the ministry of reconciliation and the new creation. “God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them” (verses 18-19). He says, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (verse 17). There is no better news than this, and we should be thankful to God for His work to reconcile us to Himself. As a result, we are now “Christ’s ambassadors” (verse 20). On behalf of our King, we have a reason to “implore people to be reconciled to God” (verse 20). Personally, I pray that my own appeal to others could be more effective than it is. In reality, we have such good news to share; in an awful world filled with sin, “God does not count men’s sins against them” (verse 19). But, sadly, this news hardly seems of any value to so many people around us. May God open their eyes and enable us to be acceptable ambassadors of His marvelous grace and mercy.
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