“Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known. But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold.” Psalm 106:8,13(NIV).
Lord, my God, I never want to forget Your faithfulness to me. You have watched over me, been with me, formed and shaped me, and continue to smooth out the rough edges of my life. I never want to forget how You saw me when my eyes turned from You. I never want to forget that even as I walked further away from You, You, LORD, were always by my side, always one step ahead. I never want to forget how Your loving hands upheld me in my weakest moments. In my darkest times, Your glorious light shone to guide me and remind me that Your way is better. When I take a breath, I never want to forget the new life in me that You have restored. With every beat of my pulse, I never want to forget how You removed the stone around my heart and renewed my memory of who You are to me. I never want to forget that Your love is better than life. My lips will always glorify You. I love You…Amen.
This wasn’t a night of regrets; it was a night of gratitude. It was a quiet evening with our Father, just the two of us talking about life. As I read Psalm 106, I remembered how deeply in love with Jesus I was as a young girl. However, like the Israelites, I forgot and turned away. I didn’t hate Him nor did I stop believing; I just forgot about Him. For many years, I distanced myself from Jesus and forgot my first love. But our wonderful Father reminded me that He never took His eyes off me. He had a plan to bring me back to where I was and then move me forward to where I am now. He’s not finished with me; His plan for my life continues to unfold. He never forgot me, and I never want to forget Him again. There was a 45-year separation, but He never gave up. As I sat quietly before the LORD, I felt the love of Jesus and the comfort of His Spirit.
Psalm 106:45 speaks of how God took note of their distress when He heard the cry of His people. I realize I didn’t know all those years how much I was in distress or crying out until our LORD touched me one day. In that moment, I came alive again. My heart began to beat in a renewed rhythm. He reminded me that He doesn’t hold a grudge and delights in washing us clean and lavishing us with His love. I read how “Jesus endured the agony of separation from the Father so that you and I can stand under the fountain of a loving God.” I sit quietly and allow Him to shower me with His love.
Many thoughts and scriptures went through my head this night as I sat quietly….
GOD IS WITH US! Isaiah 41:10 tells us not to fear, for He is with us. I love how He reminds us that He is our God. Then, in Isaiah 43:1, He reassures us again not to fear because He has redeemed us and calls us by name, saying, “You are mine.” I love listening for His voice, as there is comfort in knowing God is with us.
GOD IS FOR US! If God is for us, then who can be against us (Romans 8:31), and He will never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). The battles of life can be difficult, but He will fight for us. All we have to do is be still and silent (Exodus 14:14). Psalm 56:9 reminds us that when we call for help, our enemies turn away. I can boldly say, “By this I know that god is for me.”
GOD CALMS OUR STORMS! I hold Mark 4:35-41 close to my heart. I took a moment to reflect on my struggles. I call to Jesus. The struggles don’t necessarily disappear, but the rage inside me does…every time. He brings the light that extinguishes the darkness and the peace that calms my storm. He speaks firmly yet lovingly…PEACE! BE STILL!
GOD PROVIDES! In Psalm 78:24, 25, we are reminded that God rained down manna. Human beings ate the bread of angels. Even during the Israelites’ wandering in the wilderness, their clothes and sandals never wore out (Deuteronomy 29:5). Even in the desert times of my life, God provided perfect portions in every way. Jesus is all I need. He is more than enough. God is our provider.
GOD IS OUR COMFORT! I reflect on my toughest times; even in those 45 years of my forgetfulness, I know God showed His compassion. I see that I am where I am now, and I trust Him with my future. He is our Father of compassion and God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3). Through my struggles, doubts, difficulties and diseases, our God of comfort will never fail.
This was a beautiful night of remembering it has always been God from the beginning (Genesis 1:1), and it will be Jesus forever (Revelation 22:20).
We pray, Heavenly Father, that we never forget how much You love us; that when we turn away, even for a moment, Your eyes are still fixed on us. Thank You, Abba, for never forgetting us. Forgive us, Jesus, when life and busyness get in the way of remembering who You are. Holy Spirit, remind us never to forget, to be still, to patiently wait, and to trust our Creator. We trust You, LORD, in Your plan for our lives and for this world. We surrender. In Jesus name…Amen
