Psalms 106:39

Psalms 106:39 says, Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.  The people of Isreal were defiled by their own works when they started chasing other gods.  So will we be as Christians if we do so today.  Verse forty adds, Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.  God's wrath was kindled against His inheritance, Isreal, so much that He abhorred them.  They had become God's people by name only and not by faith.  As followers of Christ, we cannot do whatever we please and believe that God has to accept it.  Just because we have everlasting salvation does not mean that our actions cannot cause God to be angry with us.  Verse forty-one continues, And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.  Isreal was defeated without God's protection, and so may we be in the world today.  Verse forty-two states, Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.  The people of Israel were made slaves by those who defeated them.  If we as Christians stop living in obedience to God by our faith, then we place ourselves in a position to be living under the slavery of sin once more.  Verse forty-three declares, Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.  Though God delivered the people of Isreal many times and they rebelled against Him again and again, He delivers us once and for all time if we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse forty-four adds, Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:  God allowed the people of Israel to be defeated and afflicted because of their lack of faithfulness, but He still heard them when they cried out to Him in faith.  God never leaves His people, though too often they leave Him and suffer for it.  Still, He is always but a prayer away.  Verse forty-five states, And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.  God remembered the people of Israel because of the covenant He had made with them, and He will remember us because of the covenant He makes with us when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse forty-six adds, He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.  God caused those who held them captive to have pity for the people of Israel.  Verse forty-seven says, Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.  The people of Isreal called on God to deliver them so that they could praise His name.  Often, if we find ourselves in a bad situation of our own making, we may call out to God to deliver us with the promise that we will praise His name.  Verse forty-eight adds, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.  This should be our message to the world today as Christians.