“Remember me, O LORD, with the favor You have toward Your people. . . . We have sinned with our fathers. . . . They did not remember the multitude of Your mercies, but rebelled. . . . Nevertheless, He saved them. . . . They soon forgot His works“ (Psalm 118:4, 6, 7, 8, 13).
Why do we need God to remember us with favor and grace? Because, unlike God, we so often forget what he has done for us, just like our fathers in the faith, who forgot his saving works in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and so often throughout their history (Psalm 106:1-18) .
What happens when we forget God’s many blessings to us? That act of ingratitude leads to further unbelief, which breeds more and more sin, which then brings upon us God’s righteous discipline.
How much better to heed the words of David: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits,” beginning with his gracious forgiveness of all our sins (Psalm 103:3).
Paul sets an example for us at the opening of almost all his letters, especially Ephesians, where he thanks God for the great spiritual blessings he has bestowed upon us in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14).
Yours in his relentless goodness,
Wright