In this recounting of God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt, we find words of praise for God’s steadfast covenant-keeping. Every covenant throughout the biblical story has two parts: “I will be your God and you will be my people.” Over and over throughout human history, we have failed to be God’s people. We have idolized the things of this world, we have put our own needs before those of our neighbors, we have insisted on our own way, and we have failed to forgive.
Sometimes I think I’m doing a good job of being God’s person, but then I find myself judging someone or failing to recognize my part in a problem or ignoring someone’s pain. The good news found in this psalm is that even when we don’t hold up our end of the covenant, God continues to do so – offering us abundant life, blessing us to be a blessing to others, and inviting us back onto the path of healing and restoration.
Say a prayer of confession and find assurance in the promise that God forgives you and offers a second (and third and fourth and fifth…) chance.