Psalm 111 #3

Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. (Psalm 111:3-4)

These verses continue to talk about God’s work.

Splendor can also be translated vigor. Sometimes it’s easy to think of God’s work as a more passive thing—not this active picture. Vigor involves things like vitality, energy and strength. They’re not passive. He’s involved. It’s contagious. And it’s a force that will win. When someone is operating that way they can’t easily be ignored!

Then it says that he caused his wondrous (extraordinary) deeds to be remembered. Extraordinary—beyond the normal—not the everyday stuff. It has to be God at work. There is no other option.

The word remembered can be translated memorial. You don’t ignore memorials. The place is chosen carefully. They’re big and designed to be impressive. They’re made of stone that will last. And every time you look at them you remember.

But you know the thing that I find really interesting about this section … the “the LORD is gracious and merciful” part comes after he has caused his works to be remembered. Can it be that setting up the memorials himself is what is gracious and merciful?

Why?

I wonder if that’s because he knows how easy it is for us to forget—or to even start taking his amazing things for granted. He knows our weaknesses and his plans include what we need—even to the memorials to help us remember all he’s done!

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