Psalm 106 – confession guide

“This Psalm begins and ends with Hallelujah—"Praise the Lord." The space between these two descriptions of praise is filled up with the mournful details of Israel's sin, and the extraordinary patience of God.  It is a good reminder for us to bless the Lord both at the beginning and the end of our meditations when sin and grace are the themes.” (Charles Spurgeon)

Psalm 106	LIKE OUR ANCESTORS…	…WE HAVE SINNED. (Psalm 106:6)
	“Commentary”	Reflection Questions (take time in prayer to ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart to the real answers to the following questions)
(v.7) -they gave no thought to Your miracles -did not remember Your kindness/mercy -Instead, they rebelled by the sea	Israel is not quite out of Egypt, and yet she begins to exasperate the Lord by doubting His power to deliver, so quickly turning away, and questioning His faithfulness to his promise. They took for granted God’s love for them; they were not impressed at all with His miracles …and such miracles He did!  Consider the plagues in Exodus 7-11 and how God protected them from the Egyptians by parting the Red Sea!  (Ex.13:17-14:31).	When have you recently doubted God’s leading in your life? How do you take for granted the Lord’s love for you?  Where in your life do you undervalue His work in your life? Do you take adequate time to reflect on God’s words and promises?
(v. 12-13) -They believed His promises and sang His praise… -But, soon forgot what He had done	Our ancestors believed the promise only after they saw it fulfilled;  it is similar to the ‘unbelief’  of “Doubting Thomas” (John 20:24-29). Their praise for God was short-lived because they quickly forgot about God’s miracles.	Have you been guilty of quickly forgetting God’s great work in your life and have fallen into doubt and unbelief?  If so, what happened?
(v.13)   -they did not wait for His counsel	They were eager to have their own way and prone to trust in themselves. With God there is counsel and strength, but they were vain enough to look for these (counsel and strength) in themselves.  So they did not wait for God’s guidance and plans for them, but did what they thought was right.  (James 4:13-16).	When was the last instance in your life when you did not wait for God’s leading?  Why?
(v.14)  -They gave into their craving -put God to the test	When the most suitable and pleasant food was provided for our fathers in abundance, it did not please them long, but they grew ungrateful and considered themselves too good for food from heaven.  They dwelt on their desire for earthly food until it became an obsession with them. (Romans 13:14, Ephesians 2:3). In the place where they were absolutely dependent upon God and were fed every day by His direct provision, they had the presumption to provoke their God with insistent demands.	What of God’s provision do you think is not good enough for you? Is there any area where you are ‘tempting’ God’s patience with you by demanding that He provide better for you? Is there any area where you are behaving like a spoiled brat with God?
(v.16)   -They became envious of Moses	Amongst the Israelites there was a spirit of dissatisfaction in general, and therefore the whole nation is charged with this sin.	Who are you guilty of envying?  Why? What is the root issue?
(v.19)  -They made a calf and worshipped an idol…	In the very place where our fathers had solemnly pledged themselves to obey the Lord they broke His commands not to make an image of God, nor to worship any other ‘gods’; they made a golden cow and bowed before it, exchanging the glory of the presence of God for a “cheap souvenir.”	Who or what are you putting before God?  What ‘cheap souvenir’ are you looking to instead of looking to God? Have you idolized and served yourself rather than God?!
. (v.21-23)  -They forgot the God who had saved them…	Our ancient fathers forgot the nature and character of God (who had already done so many mind-boggling things for them) which is why they thought that an image of a grass-eating animal could be an image of the God of Israel!  They forgot the Miracle-working, Awesome Deed-doer!  There is no one like our God!	What attributes of God have you forgotten? What prevents you from remembering all He has done?  What is the root of your sin in this area? How have you cheapened God’s ‘image’ by making Him something lesser than who and what He is in your life?
(v.24) -They despised the pleasant land and -did not believe His promises	They spoke lightly of God’s Promised Land, though it was the joy of all lands. In fact, they even spoke fondly of the land of their cruel slavery as if they preferred it over God’s provision.  They spurned and despised God’s provision. The Israelites did not believe His word. Unbelief is at the root of their sin. If we do not believe the Lord's word, we shall think lightly of His promised gifts.	Have you loved thinking more about the world than heaven?! Is there anything that God has provided that you are not grateful for? Have you not rudely questioned God's faithfulness?! How is unbelief causing you to think lightly of His gifts?
(v.25)  -They ... grumbled in their tents and -did not obey	The path from unbelief to murmuring and complaining is a short and natural step. Murmuring is a great sin as it contains within itself unbelief, pride, rebellion, among other sins.  Our ancestors found fault with the life that God gave them and stirred up others to unbelief by inviting them to join them in their grumbling. Because they did not trust or rely on God’s promises, they refused to listen to Him.	How have you been guilty of finding fault with God’s provision for you? Who have you drawn into your sin? Is there anything that you are refusing to listen to God in?  If so, what?
(v.28-29)   -they joined themselves also to Baal-peor (a sexual god)	This form of Ba'al-worship called for sensual indulgence. What started as unchecked doubt, forgetting, unbelief, complaining, etc has brought the Israelites to a lifestyle of continuing to fall into a life of awful sin.	Have you become caught in the web of sensual lusts with pornography, fantasy or any other sexual sin?
(v.33-34) -Because they provoked his (Moses’) spirit, so that -he spoke unadvisedly with his lips	We are to appreciate and esteem our leaders and pray for them (1 Thes.5:12-13).  Our ancestors, instead, provoked their leader to anger and sin. Moses’ sin was a sin of the lips…he exploded and lost his temper; he spoke recklessly, in anger; he spoke foolishly with rash words.	Do you love and honor your leaders? Have you aggravated them without reason? What “sin of the lips” are you guilty of?
(v.34-35) -they did not destroy the peoples	We see the danger of incomplete obedience and compromise.  Instead of getting rid of temptations to sin, our fathers mingled with nations, adopted their customs and learned their ways. They delighted in ungodly company and became fascinated by the worldly culture’s charms.  Because of complacency they embraced the world, becoming just like the ungodly.  (Romans 12:2, 1 John 2:15-17, James 4:4, 1 Cor.7:31 – don’t withdraw from the worldly culture, but don’t fall in love the world ).	How have you not completely obeyed the Lord? Where are you becoming tolerant of sin in your life? Where are you allowing compromise to gain hold? What customs/values/morals of the world are you being drawn into? Does anything stand out in you that would cause others to see Christ in you?
(v.36-38) -they worshipped their idols	An idol is anything that you love or pursue more than you love and pursue God (your desires, your reputation, your plans, your career, etc.) (Ex 20:3, Hos. 13:4, Mt 22:37-38, John 8:44, 1 John 5:21).	Who or what, apart from God, is occupying your thoughts, time and attention?
(v.39) -By their deeds they prostituted themselves	Our fathers broke the marriage bond between them and the Lord, and fell into spiritual adultery.  They betrayed their love for God by selling themselves out for momentary pleasure and fitting in with those around them.  They prostituted themselves by becoming involved in relationship with corrupts morals and character.	Is there any place in your life where you are being unfaithful to the Lord?  What is it? What are you doing, or contemplating doing that puts you in danger of compromising in your walk with God?
(v.43) Many times He delivered them, -but they were bent on rebellion	The Israelites never learned though God rescued them over and over.  They just continued to sink deeper in life of sin, developing a lifestyle of rebellion against the Lord by refusing to obey.	Is there any area the Lord has been showing you to be sin for a long time, but you have refused to confess and turn away from? What ‘pet sin’ have you been keeping from the Lord? What is it that you are not willing to sacrifice to God? Think about the last time you sinned – ask, “what was the good I wanted and what was the joy that I thought I would get by pursuing this course of action?” What steps do you need to take in order to put off sin and put on holiness?

Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, when He heard their cry. One special note is found in verse 44.  In spite of the terribleness of the sin of the Israelites, the Lord still heard their prayer and pitied them. This is very wonderful and encouraging news for us!  It would be reasonable to expect that the Lord would have closed His ears to their prayers since they had continually turned away from Him.  But our Lord is a compassionate Father, whose heart continues to turn toward His erring child with love and forgiveness that never runs out.  For that, we have reason to say, Halleleujah, praise the Lord!