Nevertheless

I haven't done this for years, but I'm reading through the Bible this year. I don't say this in a prideful way. Rather I'm ashamed that I'd gotten out of the habit of daily Bible reading.

I'm trying a slightly different approach by using The Daily Bible which arranges Scripture in chronological order. The most noticeable difference being Psalms and prophecies are inserted in the narrative where they actually take place. For example in the Old Testament, when David sins with Bathsheba, Psalms 51 is placed there. I'm getting a better feel for context.

Six months into this and still in the Old Testament, I am struck with how for centuries the Israelites ran on a hamster wheel of turning their back on God, experiencing pain and difficulties, crying out to God, being delivered, and then turning their back again. Over and over and over again. It grieves my heart to read about Israel's follies. How God must have grieved when his beloved people turned away and put their trust in everything but Him.

The Old Testament's lessons are not just for Jews, but for everyone. Psalms 106 sums it up well: (All scripture is quoted from The New American Standard Bible)

Vs. 6 - We have sinned like our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have behaved wickedly.

7 - Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Thy wonders; They did not remember Thine abundant kindnesses, but rebelled by the Red Sea.

8 - NEVERTHELESS He saved them for the sake of His name, that He might make His power known.

9 to 12 tells how God led the Israelites through the Red Sea and saved them from their enemies.

13 - They quickly forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but craved intensely in the wilderness and tempted God in the desert.

20 - Thus they exchanged their glory for the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God their Savior who had done great things in Egypt, and awesome things by the Red Sea.

24 - Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe in His word, but grumbled in their tents.

25 to 39 - More descriptions of how the Israelites "did not listen to the voice of the Lord."

40 - Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against His people...Then he gave them into the hands of their enemies.

44 - (and now, my favorite part) NEVERTHELESS He looked upon their distress, when He heard their cry; and He remembered His covenant for their sake, and relented according to the greatness of His lovingkindness. He also made them objects of compassion.

Powerful. A God who continues to love us no matter how many times we fall. Inspired by this Psalm, I wrote an acrostic poem a few years back. The letters of the word "Nevertheless" start each line.

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Psalms 106

Near to the

Eternal One, we turn and walk away.

Vanished are the

Earnest prayers of promises to obey.

Redeemed from

Tribulation, we easily forget

His mighty works on our behalf, His payment of our debt.

Even though we will not listen, His

Love will not let go.

Ever the

Same, He'll lead us home as He did

So long ago.

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An amazing Holy God forgiving stupidity and rebellion. Hearing, Loving, Saving. Over and Over and Over again.

"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. And let all the people say, "Amen." (Ps. 106:48)