Do Not Forget What God Has Done
Psalm 106:8-23 recounts one of Israel’s greatest failures: they experienced God’s power, witnessed His deliverance, and yet quickly forgot His works. They exchanged trust in God for impatience, unbelief, and ultimately idolatry.
This passage reminds us that remembering what God has done is more than looking back nostalgically—it is an essential part of maintaining faith when the next trial comes.
In this episode, we examine the danger of spiritual forgetfulness, the consequences of refusing to trust God, and the remarkable truth that even when His people fail, God remains faithful.
When We Forget
Psalm 106 begins recounting Israel’s history, and it is not a flattering history.
God delivered Israel from Egypt. He performed wonders before them. He divided the Red Sea. He led them safely through.
And yet, “They soon forgat his works.”
That statement is at the heart of this passage.
1. God delivers even when we don’t deserve it
Psalm 106:8 says:
“Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.”
Israel’s salvation wasn’t based upon their faithfulness. God acted because He is faithful.
2. Forgetting God’s works leads to unbelief
Verse 13 says:
“They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel.”
Notice the progression:
They forgot → they stopped waiting → they acted wrongly.
When we forget what God has already done, we become much more likely to doubt what He can do next.
3. Impatience can become dangerous
Israel didn’t want to wait for God. They wanted what they wanted, when they wanted it.
That impatience eventually led them toward idolatry.
Sometimes the greatest spiritual danger isn’t that we don’t believe God exists. It’s that we refuse to wait for Him.
4. Moses stood in the gap
Verses 22-23 remind us of Moses:
“Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach…”
Moses interceded for the people.
This is a powerful reminder of the importance of praying for others—even when they have gone astray.
The warning for us
We should never assume that yesterday’s deliverance automatically produces today’s faith.
We need to remember.
Remember what God has done.
Remember His promises.
Remember His faithfulness.
Remember His mercy.
And when the next Red Sea appears in front of us, remember the God who brought us through the last one.
8. Application Questions
- What has God done in your life that you are in danger of forgetting?
- How does remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthen your faith today?
- Have you ever become impatient because God didn’t act according to your timetable?
- What can happen when we stop waiting for God’s direction?
- Who do you need to be praying for and “standing in the breach” for today?
- What specific act of God’s faithfulness can you intentionally remember this week?
9. Short Prayer
Father, help us never to forget Your works. When we face difficulty, remind us of the times You have delivered us before. Give us patience to wait for Your direction rather than running ahead of You. Strengthen our faith, guard us from unbelief and idolatry, and help us faithfully pray for those who need You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
10. Key Verse — KJV
“They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel.”
— Psalm 106:13 KJV
