Remembering Not to Forget
Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20
A few years ago a friend was going through a scary time of symptoms and tests and waiting for a diagnosis. I talked to her the day she was going for the first test. She told me that she had received assurance from God that all was going to be fine. She did not know if she was about to discover a life threatening diagnosis or something easy to treat. What she was sure of was that either way, God was in it and He would use it for good.
She stayed in touch as usual over the next few weeks. The process was long and drawn out in between doctor appointments. At some point she became afraid and was starting to worry about the outcome.
What a gift that we had talked about God’s assurance that all would be well in the end. She had forgotten! That’s hard to believe, isn’t it? When God gives us those very personal promises wouldn’t you think that we would remember them?
Instead, we forget just like the Israelites did. God brought them out of Egypt with wealth from the Egyptians (Exodus 12:36), He parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14), and provided manna and quail for them to eat (Exodus 16). The list goes on and on but when Moses was gone a few days too long they forgot all of that. They built the golden calf and worshiped it (Exodus 32), forgetting God and all He had done for them!
My point is that forgetting seems to be a part of human nature from the earliest recorded events in human history. God gives us blessings in big and small ways and we forget quickly and start to look for something else to bring us happiness. Some of us to food or other people. We forget that it’s God alone who can help us, comfort us, keep us, provide for us, and bless us.
One of the promises of the Christian life is that there will be difficulties. The world hated Jesus so they will hate His followers. Our physical bodies will fail us and there will be sickness. Other people will disappoint us and deceive us. This world is fallen and we live in it. Stuff will happen to us and we will do stuff that we will regret.
Paul told the Corinthians, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1Corinthians 10:13).
That word temptation is translated other places as trial or test. God is faithful to us in the tests of faith that are common to all of us. We can endure them because He will help us through. What we have to do is remember to turn to Him and ask Him for help.
So, how has God provided for you and me that can remember the next time we need it?
When it’s over and we have seen Him work, will we remember to be grateful to our faithful God for His steadfast love.
God has given me comfort in times of trial. I am thankful for His love.
Melissa, I pray those memories will always be a source of peace and faith for you. He is good!
Praise God for memories that sustain us.
Oh my, yes, I’ve been guilty of forgetting God’s blessings more than once. I’ve found something that helps is to write it down. 🙂 I’ve jotted down notes in my Bible and I love going back and remembering His goodness to me…He is such a good, good Father! Thank you for this post, Beth, and blessings to you!
Good thought. I am always glad for the notes I write in my Bible, too.
Amen!
A-men Sister great post
Thanks Stephen, An amen is encouragement to me!
I have just been reading about the Israelites! This is confirmation to me that God sees me and hears my prayers! Thank you!
Julie, What a great truth to keep remembering! Thanks for posting.
This is so true! We forget to recount and retell and remember the many miracles and blessings that God pours out on us. They slip away, lost in the fog of our brokenness. We are just like the Israelites. All of us are. Thank you for this vivid reminder to continually rehearse the Lord’s blessings and to turn to him, rather than to other things, mindful of who he really is and all he has actually done for us!
We are a forgetful bunch! I think it’s why we’re instructed to rehearse often God’s faithfulness. To keep in the forefront of our minds.
Great post. Great examples!
Wow! Challenging words, “God gives us blessings in big and small ways and we forget quickly and start to look for something else to bring us happiness. Some of us to food or other people. We forget that it’s God alone who can help us, comfort us, keep us, provide for us, and bless us,” but so needed and true. He alone is our source – how I need to be reminded of His great faithfulness to me! Thank you!
We do forget! I remember once I was reading a passage in Isaiah about the Isataelites and the holy spirit prompted me to put my name in their place as I read the passage. Boy was I humbled…I enjoyed this and I will be sharing
Yes, we forget all too easily when a trial continues longer than we thought it would. Good post. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Anneliese.
Yes Afi, When I hear myself grumble or complain I am reminded of what God thought of the Isralite’s complaints!
So glad you enjoyed it.
Lisa. Challenging words are good when “He alone is the source” of the challenge. His faithfulness is great! Thanks for commenting.
Thanks Jessica, I would love to think I do keep His faithfulness in the forefront of my mind. He is faithful to bring reminders!
Thanks Melinda, your words are encouraging to me.
He is good… A friend’s son just passed away after a massive stroke. In the midst of “survivor guilt” about the stroke I survived 5 years ago, he used your blog to remind me not to forget his goodness and sovereign will in granting me life and healing. How quickly we forget his good and perfect will and that Father knows best! Excellent blog.
My prayer is to believe in Him no matter what is in front of me. Sometimes it is easier than others! Thankful that God never changes and never fails us. Thank you!
Yes Michelle, Isn’t also always good to look back and see His faithfulness? It always reminds me that He never lets me down.
Hi Candice – I am always grateful to hear that the Lord has used something for someone’s assurance of His goodness to us! Thanks for commenting.
Amen to this. It’s true that we humans SO EASILY forget God’s promises. I know I do it all the time. Staying rooted in God’s word helps me remember, as do great friends who help remind me. Bless you!