Psalm 106:6-15 “We have sinned with our fathers. We have committed iniquity. We have done wickedly. Our fathers didn’t understand your wonders in Egypt. They didn’t remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses, but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea. Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power known. He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up; so he led them through the depths, as through a desert. He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. The waters covered their adversaries. There was not one of them left. Then they believed his words. They sang his praise. They soon forgot his works. They didn’t wait for his counsel, but gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the wasteland. He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.”

There are both good and bad examples in Scripture. Here the Psalmist is remembering the failures of the people in the past and comparing that to the sinfulness of the people in the present. There is an important lesson for us here: hopefully we can learn from the mistakes other people make so that we won’t make them ourselves!

1 Corinthians 10:11-12 “Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall.”

There is another important lesson here too. There is someone who is always faithful. There is someone who always does what is right. There is someone who is always there. There is someone who is merciful, kind, and loving. There is someone who makes His power and might known in the way He deals with His people. God!

Romans 9:17 “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I caused you to be raised up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’ ”

Part of the dealing with His people is helping them to understand when they make mistakes and disciplining them when they need it. It’s actually a form of love. So even when He gave them what they wanted (food), He made sure they understood that their unbelief was a problem: “He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.”

For additional worship: Faithfulness (Matt Maher)