Remember

“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way” (Deuteronomy 8:2 ISV).

Did God bring you through the wilderness this year?
Don’t forget what he did.

Did God provide manna and quail to keep you alive?
Don’t forget his provision.

Did God lead you with a cloud and a fiery pillar?
Don’t forget his guidance.

Moses told his people never to forget what God had done for them. He knew that when the Jews finally settled down in the Promised Land, it would be easy to forget the forty years in the wilderness.

It’s normal to forget the hard times.
Who wants to look back on yesterday’s struggles?

Moses understood that prosperity brings its own challenges. Bill Gates said it this way:

“Success is a lousy teacher. It makes smart people think they can’t lose.”

That's the problem with winning. Once you think you can't lose, you feel invincible. At that point, you're about to become a loser. You just don't know it yet. You can win too much, too soon, too easily. Before long you prove the adage that it's a short step from victory to defeat. For all the problems that losing brings, at least it cures the illusion of invincibility.

Psalm 103:2 exhorts us to “bless the Lord, and do not forget all his benefits.” That’s important because most of us are better at complaining than praising. Sometimes we need to give ourselves a good talking-to. We’re good at telling the Lord what we want him to do for us. We need a good dose of Psalm 103 to wash out that complaining spirit and replace it with a heart of gratitude to the Lord.

We must think before we can thank.
We must ponder before we can praise.
We must remember before we can rejoice.

A good memory of the right things can save us when trouble comes.

Has God blessed you? Write it down. Think often about it. Tell it to your children, your family, your friends. Pass it along so that future generations can tell the story after you are gone.

Remember the Lord.
Remember his goodness.
Remember his faithfulness.

 In these early days of December, let’s focus on what God has done for us. What specific prayers were answered? Can you remember desperate moments when God came through for you? Do you recall great fear that turned into great rejoicing? Did he help your loved ones when all hope was gone? Have you seen him part the Red Sea for you? Did he destroy a few kings on your behalf? Recalling those moments deepens your faith in God and gives you confidence to face the future without fear.

Take time to remember the Lord today.

O Lord, when I count my blessings, I quickly run out of fingers, but I never run out of blessings from above. I pray for a good memory of the good things you have done for me. Amen.

 Musical bonus: Today we’re featuring a Christmas song with a powerful message. Let’s listen to  Welcome to Our World by Chris Rice.

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