“I will remember the Lord’s works; yes, I will remember your ancient wonders. I will reflect on all you have done and meditate on your actions.”
Psalm 77:10,11
REPOSTED…………….AS ERRORS WERE FOUND. Thank you!
We’re often told that you can’t move forward with continual glances in the rear-view mirror of our life. That may be partially true, but there are what I’d refer to as “good glances!”
I don’t know about you, but when I’m discouraged about painful things done to me or said about me, or when it seems like my prayers never seem to carry them to the altitude of God’s ears, or life circumstances seem so difficult, my old nature within me seems to wander in the wilderness of despair. I know God is present within me, but He seems like He’s moved and left no forwarding address.
These thoughts creep in from what seems like “out of nowhere.” They’re uninvited guests in my mind. Have you camped out there recently? That’s when we need to move our inner GPS to a new camp site!!
Several months ago, I was ‘emotionally parked’ at a depressing location. I was walking and working in the menial areas of living with not a happy attitude. My focus was on either things that seemed to be going wrong, or my expectations were in a dovetail spin.
Like in the Garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve opted for a fruit tree God said not to partake of, God came looking for them. He called out to them inquiring, “Where are you?” Yes, He knew where “they were” but they didn’t want to be located just then. Their sin had taken on the consequences of their disobedience and they became distant and cold toward God.
In the U.S.A., there are campsites throughout the country. They’re called KOA!
This particular “not-so-good day” seemed to call out to me. I sensed He was inviting me to a new and better campsite …. a KOA (Kinder Options Available).
At times, don’t you just hate your old nature! Notice I didn’t place a question mark behind the comment. I was looking at all the wrong things or difficult things in my life; and they were blinding me to God’s goodness in my life.
HAVE YOU BEEN THERE? Or am I alone in this photograph?
Even though my heart wasn’t in it…..I picked up my Bible and began reading the next chapter from where I left off. Psalm 77 was in front of my eyes and the more I read, the more my heart was changed. God moved my “inner compass” to verses 10 and 11.
I will REMEMBER…………Your wonders
I will REFLECT on all……. You have done
I will MEDITATE on all…..Your actions
Many times, we can see God’s hand of care and sovereignty more clearly when we look at the rear-view mirror of our lives. Well, it was time to get in my “spiritual car” and glance into the rear-view activity of God in my life.
There is spiritual value and devotion of taking time to remember His works in my life. To remember is more than just a quick reflection, but to focus, ponder and think deeply of all He’s done for each of us; and then to evaluate them in such a way that they cause us to realize and affirm various aspects of His character and activity in our lives.
HIS GOODNESS, HIS MERCY, HIS FAITHFULNESS, HIS PATIENCE, HIS TENDERNESS, HIS WISDOM, HIS ATTENTIVENESS TO DETAILS, HIS KNOWLEDGE OF OUR EVERY STEP
Yes, He is at work, and so much of His work is “underground” and unseen at the time. My faith wanted sight, and looking back I could sometimes see what was formerly unavailable to see. He’s working all the time, even when I can’t see Him or His activity.
I continued reading Psalm 78, verse 7 “They were to rise and tell their children so that they might put their confidence in God’s works.”
Remembering, reflecting and meditating on just some of what God has done in our lives brings a “renewed spirit filled with hope and encouragement.”
When we’re refreshed by what God has done, let’s not keep it a secret! At an appropriate opportunity tell someone else. Everyone needs encouragement!
Proverbs 11, verse 25 “A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Isaiah 64, verse 4 “No one has ever heard, perceived, or seen a God like the One who acts for those who wait for Him.”
GOD WORKS FOR HIS PEOPLE!!
I think there is a common denominator amongst all of us. We can be like the Israelites in a New York minute. Looking together at the miracles of their exit from Egypt, we often look at their attitudes “after the exit” and wonder how in the world could they forget what God did?
Well, fellow traveler, I can be there in no time, and I think if you’re honest, you can join me as well in the “forgetfulness camp.”
Let’s remember, reflect and meditate on just some of the things God did for His people as they were in the process of exiting Egypt:
Psalm 78:12 “He worked wonders in the sight of their fathers in the land of
Egypt…..”
Psalm 78:13 “He split the sea and brought them across; the water stood firm
like a wall.”
Psalm 78:14 “In the daytime also He led them with the cloud, and all the night
with a light of fire.
- He led them in a way they would know His presence
Psalm 78:18 “And they tested God in their heart by asking for the food of their fancy.”
- Food they especially missed or enjoyed or what was special to them. They wanted what they wanted to satisfy their craving/appetite
- They wanted their desires over what God wanted them to have at that time.
Honesty prevailing, I can be there in a minute myself, desiring what I think is best instead of what God wants me to have or do. A good prayer here would be: Lord, help me desire.. YOUR DESIRES.
Verse 19: “They said, ‘Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?’”
Verse 20: “Behold He struck the rock, so that the waters gushed out, and the
streams overflowed.”
Verse 21: “Therefore the Lord heard this and was furious. So, a fire was
kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel.”
Verse 22: “Because they did not believe in God, and did not trust in His
salvation.
Verse 23-25: “Yet He gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens; He rained down manna for the people to eat, He gave them the grain of heaven. Human beings ate the bread of angels; He sent them all the food they could eat.
Verse 26: “He caused an east wind to blow in the heavens; and by His power
He brought in the south wind.”
Verse 27: “And He let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their
dwellings. So, they are and were well-filled, for He gave them their
own desire.
Verse 30: “They were not deprived of their craving. But while their food
was in their mouths, the wrath of God came against them, and
slew the stoutest of them, and struck down the choice men of
Israel.”
Verse 32: “In spite of this, they still sinned, and did not believe in His
wondrous works.”
Verse 40: “How often they (His people Israel) provoked Him in the
wilderness, and grieved Him in the desert.”
Verse 41: “Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One
of Israel.”
Verse 42: “They did not remember His power, the day when He redeemed
them from the enemy……” etc.
Verse 43: “They did not remember when He performed His miraculous
signs in Egypt and His wonders…” in His bringing them out of Egypt.
The:
– rivers into blood – flood
– swarms of flies – firstborn struck
– frogs & locust devastation – hail
– crop devastation
–
Verse 52: “He led His people out like sheep and guided them like a flock in the
wilderness.”
Verse 53: “He led them safely, and they were not afraid; but the sea covered
their enemies.”
Verse 54: “He brought them to His Holy territory, to the mountain….”
Verse 55: “He drove out nations before them. He apportioned their inheritance
by lot and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.”
So, as I looked over these verses, why in the world, or better yet, how in the world could they FORGET WHAT GOD HAD DONE FOR THEM?
Before we get too lofty in our “judgmental evaluation” of His people there: what about you and me? The same question could be asked of each of us. I found it very convicting if I put my name in the question if addressed to my life. How’s that for confession of sin? It’s not pretty, but it’s honest.
Dianne, how could you forget all I’ve done in your life to provide for you and help you walk in My ways?
______ (your name) __________how could you forget all I’ve done in your life to provide for you and help you walk in My ways?
In reading this blog, maybe you’ve never asked Jesus Christ to come into your life and to be the Master over your journey down here……preparing you for heaven. He’s available to ALL people, but like a gracious gift, we need to “receive Him” and what He did on the cross for each and every human being…..taking the punishment for our sins and offering complete forgiveness and a clean slate before the Father.
John, chapter 1, verse 12: “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”
Romans, chapter 10, verse 13: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
This places a person in God’s family by way of a Spiritual Adoption. Gifts aren’t earned…. they are received!
The truth of these verses in Psalm 78 highlight where we all can be at any moment of our life…..’forgetting about God’s presence and care.’ Can’t we thank the Lord Jesus for His tremendous mercy, compassion and faithfulness to us in our own ‘forgetfulness.”
Psalm, chapter103, verse 14: “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
God understands our human limitations and weaknesses and His mercy, love and compassion are based on His understanding of each of us…not our own abilities of strength.
Wrapping this up, we ALL can forget what God has done for us and His promise to continue His work in us, for us and through us…..until He takes us “home” to be in His presence.
The closing words in my journal this day was:
“Say yes to the ways I work in your life. Trust Me and don’t be afraid.”
COMPASS QUESTION………………
How will your life and mine be different today because of what I have just read from God’s Word and His Spirit’s voice through people and my circumstances??
Cups of Cold Water 