Psalm 106

God is faithful even when we are unfaithful.

Psalm 106 tells the story of God’s faithfulness and Israel’s unfaithfulness. God miraculously delivered Israel from Egyptian slavery and miraculously provided for the needs of His people in the desert.

He saved them from the power of the adversary;
he redeemed them from the power of the enemy. (v. 10 CSB)

But God’s people began to focus on what they didn’t have instead of what they did. Unbelief and rebellion took hold with disastrous consequences.

They soon forgot his works
and would not wait for his counsel.
They were seized with craving in the wilderness
and tested God in the desert. (v. 13-14 CSB)

God miraculously provided manna every morning. Instead of responding with gratitude, His people complained and were consumed by cravings for meat.

Notice how God responds.

He gave them what they asked for,
but sent a wasting disease among them. (v. 15 CSB)

God gave them what they asked for.


He also gave them a warning about the motives behind their request.

Numbers 11 makes clear that the Israelites were not asking for meat out of a humble desire. Rather, they were rejecting God’s provision of manna, a miraculous superfood, and demanding familiar food from their time in Egyptian captivity. A rebellious attitude saps strength and health like the wasting disease that accompanied the food Israel craved.

This verse gives me pause every time I read it.
Am I asking with the right motive or out of my own cravings?
Do I really trust God’s provision, even if it is unconventional or unfamiliar?

For Israel, what started as complaints about food grew into a pervasive attitude of unbelief that turned their hearts away from God.

At Horeb they made a calf
and worshiped the cast metal image.
They exchanged their glory
for the image of a grass-eating ox.
They forgot God their Savior,
who did great things in Egypt,
wondrous works in the land of Ham,
awe-inspiring acts at the Red Sea. (v. 19-22 CSB)

But though His people continued to rebel, God remained faithful to His promises to them.

He rescued them many times,
but they continued to rebel deliberately
and were beaten down by their iniquity.

When he heard their cry,
he took note of their distress,
remembered his covenant with them,
and relented according to the abundance
of his faithful love. (v. 43-45 CSB)

God is faithful even when we are unfaithful.

When I recognize rebellion or unbelief in myself, I can confess my sin and God will forgive.


God is faithful.

Father, You are faithful even when I am not. Examine my heart and show me any rebellion or unbelief. I confess it to You and ask You to forgive me and cleanse me. I trust Your provision for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

psalm 106


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