Most mornings, my preferred Bible reading is the psalms. They make my heart come alive, and I love the ‘waking up’ feeling in my spirit, as I digest these beautiful portions of scripture. Today I read Psalm 106, which is primarily about Israel going astray and God’s relentless pursuit of her. I think it must have been confounding for Israel, in the day this song was written, to sing these words. They are a clear wake-up call, cycling between God’s mercy and Israel’s rebellion.
One specific phrase jumped out to me. Israel “tested God in the desert and He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul”. Leanness into their soul, I have felt those effects myself. There is nothing more miserable then that leanness. The hunger is overwhelming. God’s mercy is so good, I remember back to specific seasons of my life that were characterized by leanness. God hedged me in, driving me into His embrace. And you know what? I am grateful for those seasons. They have taught me to embrace leaning on my beloved instead of the leanness of my soul.
And in return, I find a new compassion in my soul for others who are in a season or place where they are experiencing leanness. If I had not experienced for myself, my own weakness, I know I would have turned around and judged others. And now, I find a new tenderness for Israel herself. It is misery being in that place of leanness when you are trying to run away from the Lord. And so I can pray for Israel with a little taste of what she has experienced, and it draws me closer in a personal way to the real men and women of the nation of Israel who are in rebellion against God. I can pray for their salvation with tenderness. God’s ways are powerful and his mercy surpasses my understanding.
