Our psalm today reviews the ups and downs of Israel’s history. What have you learned through your own life? We’re just going to look at a portion of Psalm 78.

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. (verses 1-4, ESV)

Do you like to share stories about your life? Do you share funny stories or lessoned learned the hard way? Do you want your kids and grandkids to know how God has provided for you?

He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God. (verses 5-8, ESV)

We certainly can learn through others mistakes. As Israel looks at their history they can find multiple times that they went astray. They can also find multiple times that God acted on their behalf.

They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer. But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues. Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to this covenant. Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath. (verses 35-38 ESV)

We needed Jesus to step in and live the life we couldn’t and pay the penalties that we deserve. When we share our stories let us not point to our own greatness, but rather God’s mercy.