Psalm 106:24-48

“Israel failed to destroy the nations in the land, as the LORD had commanded them. Instead, they mingled among the pagans and adopted their evil customs.” (Psalm 106:34–35, NLT)

Psalm 106 is a record of Israel’s failures. How many times the people turned away from their God to go their own way! For forty years they tested the LORD in the wilderness. Then He finally brought them into the Promised Land. He commanded them to destroy the seven nations who dwelt there. Their practices were so corrupting and vile that they would deceive and destroy God’s holy people. But the children of Israel did not listen. Instead, they mingled among these wicked people and adopted their evil customs. Rather than being God’s special people who were set apart from all nations, they defiled themselves and became just like the peoples whom God was destroying.

While we have not been commanded to destroy nations, we have been warned against mingling with the people of the world and adopting their customs.

“Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,’ says the LORD Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:17–18, NKJV)

If we ignore God’s warnings, then we do so to the peril of our own souls. God is not mocked. We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).

Israel had blown it so many times that we might think that God was through with them. But was He?

“Even so, he pitied them in their distress and listened to their cries. He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love.” (Psalm 106:44–45, NLT)

This is the hope and comfort of every wayward sinner. If we turn from our sins and come back to the Father, then we will find His open arms. But how much better is it to first choose the way of life? The best time to quit a bad habit is never to start!