“Remembering”

by Jane Josephs 

“These things I remember as I pour out my soul…” –Psalm 42:4a

A few days ago, I was sorting through a stack of old papers and came across a devotion I wrote two years ago for PLC. I was having a “so-so” kind of day, but as I read the devotion, I felt my spirits lifting, as if the Lord was in the room with me. And I remembered His promise for those who are “poor in spirit” (Matt. 5:3).

David once wrote, “On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night. Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings” (Psalm 63:6-7). Remembering the Lord centered David’s thoughts on the goodness of the Lord, and took his eyes off his problems. It often does the same for me. But as I write I’m asking myself, what else might “remembering” what the Lord has done, do in us and through us?

Here’s my short list. Remembering God’s greatness releases:

• Courage

• Power

• Vision

• God stories

• Inspiration to take the Next Step

• Boldness we didn’t know we had, to do what we didn’t know we could.

The prophet Isaiah said, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago.” The Old Testament is full of them, isn’t it? Stories of Moses, Joshua, Esther, and Nehemiah; just to name a few. Those stories are in the Bible to give us guidance, courage, and strength; to help us remember who we are and Whose we are (to quote a familiar phrase). And to help us write our own stories. We have plenty of them, you know?

So, the next time you’re having a “so-so” day, why not take a minute to remember at least one thing the Lord has done for you? Remember and be refreshed!

Dear Lord, “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness” (Ps. 115:1). Amen.