Psalm 78:26-39 NKJV
26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heavens;
And by His power He brought in the south wind.
27 He also rained meat on them like the dust,
Feathered fowl like the sand of the seas;
28 And He let them fall in the midst of their camp,
All around their dwellings.
29 So they ate and were well filled,
For He gave them their own desire.
30 They were not deprived of their craving;
But while their food was still in their mouths,
31 The wrath of God came against them,
And slew the stoutest of them,
And struck down the choice men of Israel.
32 In spite of this they still sinned,
And did not believe in His wondrous works.
33 Therefore their days He consumed in futility,
And their years in fear.
34 When He slew them, then they sought Him;
And they returned and sought earnestly for God.
35 Then they remembered that God was their rock,
And the Most High God their Redeemer.
36 Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouth,
And they lied to Him with their tongue;
37 For their heart was not steadfast with Him,
Nor were they faithful in His covenant.
38 But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity,
And did not destroy them.
Yes, many a time He turned His anger away,
And did not stir up all His wrath;
39 For He remembered that they were but flesh,
A breath that passes away and does not come again.
This portion of Psalm 78 recounts the faithlessness of the Israelites and the enduring mercy of God. Though they had seen His mighty works, they tested Him in their hearts, demanding food to satisfy their cravings. God, in His sovereignty, gave them what they desired—raining down meat like dust and bread from heaven. Yet their rebellion persisted, and His righteous anger was stirred.
The psalm exposes a hard truth about the human heart: even when we receive God’s blessings, we are prone to ingratitude and disobedience. The Israelites’ craving for earthly provision overshadowed their trust in the God who provides. How often do we find ourselves in a similar place? When faced with trials or temptations, do we forget His faithfulness and turn to fleeting comforts?
Amid their rebellion, God’s response is astonishing. Although His judgment was evident, so was His compassion. He remembered they were but flesh, a passing breath that does not return. Instead of giving them over to the destruction they deserved, He restrained His wrath and forgave their iniquity.
This mercy points us to the heart of the gospel. God’s forgiveness is not casual or permissive; it is costly and transformative. He poured out His wrath on His Son at the cross so that we might receive grace. Jesus bore our sin, satisfying the justice of God and demonstrating His unwavering love.
As we reflect on these verses, we are reminded of the depth of God’s compassion. His mercy does not depend on our worthiness but flows from His steadfast character. When we fall into sin, He calls us to repentance, offering forgiveness and renewal through Christ.
Let us not take His mercy for granted but respond with humble gratitude. Trust Him to meet your deepest needs, not only for daily bread but for eternal life. Let His faithfulness anchor your soul, and let His love transform your heart.
Let us pray: Lord, thank You for Your compassion and forgiveness, even when we fall short. Help us to trust in Your provision and walk in obedience to Your will. Strengthen our faith and lead us in Your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.