“So [God] saved them from the hand of the foe and redeemed them from the power of the enemy. And the waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left. Then they believed his words; they sang his praise. But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel” (Psalm 106:10-13 ESV).

Do these words, written to describe the children of Israel and their on-again, off-again relationship with the Lord, remind you of anyone?

I know they could describe my own relationship with the Lord. You too?

Now this isn’t self-flagellation for the sake of wallowing in my failings. Rather, it’s an honest examination of my patterns of living so I do a better job of honoring God who does rescue me daily. It also helps me turn toward living more in line with God’s good counsel and his desires for me.

Perfection will not come in this lifetime. But by the power of the Holy Spirit, you and I are able to see where we have failed in the past, admit our failings, learn from them, and move forward with new insights. God continues to work powerfully for us because he loves us unwaveringly. He gives us good counsel to guide us in his ways of peace.

Maybe the Lord is showing you a place in your life where you have forgotten his work or ignored his advice? What rises to the surface when you consider this question? Grounded in his forgiving love, move into another new beginning.