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Psalm 78:32-39  

In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe. So he ended their days in futility and their years in terror. Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant. Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return. 

The people of Israel saw God at work…up close and personal. Yet they had some serious lapses of faith. Many times after a period of discipline they returned to God acknowledging Him as their Rock and Redeemer.  Then…they forgot and turned away…again. “Their hearts were not loyal to him.”

God could have wiped out the whole lot, but He remembered the frailty of the human state and showed mercy. The psalmist wrote, “Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.” He pardoned all their sin.

We can relate to the Israelites. Too often we take God’s goodness for granted and complain when we don’t get what we think we deserve. We forget that He is our Rock and our Redeemer.  Aren’t you thankful for God’s grace and mercy?

Father, thank You for remembering that I am “but flesh.” Thank You for Your love, grace, and mercy. You are my Rock and my Redeemer. Help my complaints be few and my praise for You to increase. In Jesus’ name. Amen.