I’ll admit it – I’m biased. I studied history for my university degree – I love it. I find it fascinating, and will happily read books on most historical subjects now.
I also know that not everyone enjoyed history at school. Memories of rote-learning monarchs, or obsessing over outdated parliamentary laws, or perhaps the very grim subjects of the 20th century, have put a lot of people off. Much better to live in the present, many have concluded.
But today’s psalm – and yesterday’s – give us a different perspective. If I can put aside my own enthusiasm for a moment, there is still great value in learning the lessons of history. As we observed earlier in our series: ‘Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them,’ was once wisely observed by Churchill, paraphrasing the philosopher George Santayana.
But we need history for more than just education. We need it for faith, too. Israel is constantly being given history lessons to remind themselves of who God is: how much he loves them, what he’s done for them, what it means to be the people of God: known, called, loved.
History matters. So here in Psalm 106, as elsewhere, Israel gets its own, very personal, history lesson: God’s faithfulness, their disobedience, but also God’s forgiveness and restoration. ‘Remember who God is – and remember who you are,’ is the repeated reminder.
We, too, can benefit from this advice. The Church, too, has a history. Sadly, we tend to think nowadays only of the shameful seasons of that history. But that is not the whole story – there are also many wonderful seasons and myriad stories of the power of God at work. Maybe now is a time for some of us to read (or re-read) a good Christian biography, or a story of renewal, led by the people of God, which has been forgotten.
Whenever we celebrate a family birthday, we often spend some of the day sharing memories, digging out old photos. We spend time remembering, because remembering builds relationship. Let’s learn that history lesson with God too – in the end, we need history because it helps us to affirm with the psalmist: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.’
Loving Lord, who can proclaim your mighty acts, or fully declare your praise? You are amazing. Help me to remember all you’ve done for me today. Thank you for your faithfulness and love, for your goodness and mercy. I give you my heartfelt thanks. Amen.