How can we avoid provoking God's anger like Israel in Psalm 106? \Tracing the Problem in Psalm 106\ Psalm 106 is a running record of Israel’s repeated breaches of covenant that culminate in verse 40: “So the anger of the LORD was kindled against His people, and He abhorred His inheritance.” Key missteps that stirred God’s wrath: • Forgot His works and counsel (v13) • Gave way to selfish cravings (v14) • Resented God-appointed leaders (v16) • Exchanged His glory for an idol (v19) • Despised the promised land, doubted His word (v24–25) • Joined themselves to pagan worship and immorality (v28) • Shed innocent blood (v38) Each failure shows what to avoid if we desire God’s favor rather than His displeasure. \Core Principles for Avoiding Divine Anger\ 1. Remember and rehearse God’s past faithfulness. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” (Psalm 103:2) 2. Guard the heart’s desires. “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) 3. Honor God’s appointed authority. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” (Romans 13:1) 4. Refuse all idols. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21) 5. Believe His promises even when circumstances oppose them. “We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) 6. Maintain moral purity and separation from godless culture. “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” (2 Corinthians 6:14) 7. Value life and justice. “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood will be shed.” (Genesis 9:6) \Practices to Put in Place Today\ • Set aside daily time to recall God’s acts—journal answered prayers, read biblical history. • Fast or simplify consumption to curb cravings that can become idols. • Speak well of leaders; pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1–2). • Evaluate media, hobbies, and relationships: do they compete with God for affection? Remove what impersonates His glory. • Regularly read aloud His promises; memorize passages like Romans 8 to fortify trust. • Choose close friends and partners who share devotion to Christ; draw loving but clear boundaries elsewhere. • Champion life—support the vulnerable, practice justice, oppose violence in thought and action. • Confess quickly when sin occurs (1 John 1:9). Repentance averts prolonged discipline. \Encouragement from the New Covenant\ • Christ intercedes continually—our better Moses and Phinehas (Hebrews 7:25). • God disciplines but does not abandon His children (Hebrews 12:6). • “For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9) • “Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) \Closing Thoughts\ Israel’s story warns yet invites: learn from their missteps, walk in grateful obedience, and cherish the Savior who bore wrath in our place. Consistent remembrance, wholehearted devotion, and quick repentance keep hearts soft and lives aligned with the God who delights to bless rather than to judge. |
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