Psalm 136:10-16
The psalmist recounts the victories the Lord wrought for the Israelites. They experienced many incredible deliverances in which God stepped in to save them—events still celebrated and commemorated today. Yet in this psalm, we are reminded of the dangers of opposing God’s will, as Pharaoh discovered. Unfortunately, without such displays of power—along with severe consequences—some people simply will not learn.
This reminds me of God’s exhortation found in Psalm 32:9:
“Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.””
Psalms 32:9 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.32.9.NLT
Some people are, unfortunately, like that. Pharaoh was a special kind of stubborn, and it cost him dearly—along with the whole nation of Egypt. If we make God our opponent, we will lose. We can join God’s team, or stand on the sidelines, but we must not be so foolish as to oppose Him.
History is written that we might learn from other’s mistakes and not repeat them. As the Apostle Paul exhorted:
“These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.”
1 Corinthians 10:11-12 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.10.11-12.NLT
Yet history is also written that we may have testimony from those who did it right and walked in the blessing and favor of the Lord. The Book of John is a great encouragement and he clearly expresses his reasons for writing his gospel account:
“The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.”
John 20:30-31 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.20.30-31.NLT
Are we students of history? We should be! As Solomon once said:
“History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.”
Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/ecc.1.9-11.NLT
An unfortunate truth, I am afraid. Yet we can be those who break the pattern—if we will only apply ourselves. I will take all the help I can get, for we pass this way only once. Let’s make the most of it.
This reminds me of God’s exhortation found in Psalm 32:9:
“Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.””
Psalms 32:9 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.32.9.NLT
Some people are, unfortunately, like that. Pharaoh was a special kind of stubborn, and it cost him dearly—along with the whole nation of Egypt. If we make God our opponent, we will lose. We can join God’s team, or stand on the sidelines, but we must not be so foolish as to oppose Him.
History is written that we might learn from other’s mistakes and not repeat them. As the Apostle Paul exhorted:
“These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.”
1 Corinthians 10:11-12 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.10.11-12.NLT
Yet history is also written that we may have testimony from those who did it right and walked in the blessing and favor of the Lord. The Book of John is a great encouragement and he clearly expresses his reasons for writing his gospel account:
“The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.”
John 20:30-31 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.20.30-31.NLT
Are we students of history? We should be! As Solomon once said:
“History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.”
Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/ecc.1.9-11.NLT
An unfortunate truth, I am afraid. Yet we can be those who break the pattern—if we will only apply ourselves. I will take all the help I can get, for we pass this way only once. Let’s make the most of it.
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