Craig Thomas

Psalm 105 poetically traces the history of Israel. It begins with the promises God gave Abraham and goes through the mighty deeds of Joseph in Egypt and proceeds through the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. As we read this psalm, it is important to see the parallels to our lives and make some applications.

Every responsible human being is in bondage to sin (Rom. 3:23; 6:17a). That separates us from fellowship with God (Isa. 59:1-2) and results in our spiritual death (Rom. 6:23). If we do not act, it dooms us to an eternal hell (2 Thess. 1:7-9). This has been the universal human condition since the fall in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3).

Sin made Adam and Eve miserable and it makes us miserable too! As sinners, we wander about in darkness. We seek satisfaction and fulfillment in the things of this world, “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 Jn. 2:16). But these things only provide temporary pleasure, or as the Hebrew writer puts it, “the pleasures of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:25; KJV).

Why? It is impossible for sinful things to provide lasting satisfaction because sin always revolves around temporary things. Sin involves things that are of “the world” (1 Jn. 2:16b). That makes them temporary because “the world is passing away, and the lust of it” (1 Jn. 2:17). God has “put eternity in [our] hearts” (Eccl. 3:11) so it is impossible for temporary things to provide lasting fulfillment and satisfaction. The eternal aspect of our nature is one of the ways in which we are created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26- 27). Expecting temporary things to provide ultimate and permanent fulfillment and satisfaction is a fool’s errand!

Do you wonder why there is so much turmoil, hate, anger, and misery in the world today? Sin is the answer! I don’t mean to be a pessimist, but I don’t expect things to change for the better any time soon. The Bible tells us most folks will, unfortunately, follow the “broad . . .way that leads to destruction” (Matt. 7:13). They will wallow in their sin and suffer the misery it brings, both in the “here and now” and in eternity. How sad! There is an answer!

Our job is simple: share the gospel with as many people as possible! As Paul said, “the god of this age has blinded, [those] who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” (2 Cor. 4:4). It is our duty to shine the light of truth so the relative few who are searching for it can find it and come to know “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7).

As we go about that task, Paul also said we will give off a “fragrance” (2 Cor. 2:14). You see, the gospel smells! To those who hate it and reject it, it is “the aroma of death leading to death” (2 Cor. 2:16). But to those “with a noble and good heart” who hear it and “keep it and bear fruit with patience” (Lk. 8:15) the gospel is “the aroma of life leading to life” (2 Cor. 2:16).

As we take the gospel to a lost and dying world, we must prepare ourselves for a great deal of rejection. Recall that in the parable of the sower and the seed (Lk. 8:4-15), only one of the four hearts described is open to receiving, obeying, and bearing fruit. That means we must prepare ourselves mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for this great task. Paul posed it this way when he rhetorically asked, “And who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Cor. 2:16b). This world desperately needs the gospel message! It is our job to take the light forth despite its general rejection. Are you and I “equal to such a task?” (2 Cor 2:16b; NIV)