I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old…
Psalm 78:2

Psalm 78 (all 72 verses of it) is a trip down memory lane. With pen in hand, the psalmist is remembering key elements in Israel’s history. What are the recurring themes? They seem to be (1) God’s grace. (2) Israel’s sin. (3) God’s chastening. (4) Israel’s repentance. Followed by (5) God’s grace.

Then the cycle begins again. (This cycle is the recurring outline of the book of Judges as well.)

Isn’t that our history with God as well? It always begins with God. We seem always to stray. God loves us so much, He disciplines us—not to crush or destroy us, but to bring us back to His embrace, which (if we are His) we do. When has He ever withheld forgiveness from a genuinely repentant child? Never.

But then, back in His arms, we begin to wander again, and the cycle begins again in our lives.

Good news: Grace, grace, grace. His grace is our hope and stay.

Two last bits of good news:

1. As we are progressively sanctified in this life, though we will not be sinless, we will sin less and less!

2. Once in Heaven, the cycle will be broken. We will sin no more. We will only glory in His unending grace!