REMEMBER GOD’S WORKS (2)

“They did not REMEMBER His power: The day when He redeemed them from the enemy, when He WORKED His signs in Egypt…” – Psalm 78: 42-43a

It’s imperative that we REMEMBER GOD’S WORKS: “They did not remember His power: The day when He redeemed them from the enemy, when He worked His signs in Egypt, And His wonders in the field of Zoan” (Psa.78: 42-43). Israel’s rebellion against God can be attributed to the fact that they failed to remember His power and wonders. Here are five of several reasons why taking time to reflect and remember God’s Works is vital to growing in our walk with God:

Remembering God’s works buoys our Hope. When we are in a low place and it seems that finding God is difficult, recalling what He has done for us in the past helps us to trust that He will meet us in our present situation also. If He was faithful then, He will be faithful again. In down times, it’s easy to succumb to the depression, despair, fear, or worry that threatens to overwhelm us. But when we surrender these to God and rest in the arms of His love, we can find strength to get through, knowing that there are wonderful things ahead for us in Him (Isa.43: 1b-2).

Remembering what God has done for us in the past is an opportunity to offer Him praise: “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together” (vv.1-3). It’s easy to praise God when we can see His mighty works active in our lives, but when faced with trouble it becomes easier to grumble and complain than to praise. Let’s begin to praise God for what He’s done for us and acknowledge that even if we can’t see it, we know He is at work in the present too. As we start adding to the Testimony-list of God’s works in our lives, we’ll never lack what to praise Him for.

Remembering God’s past works keeps our minds and hearts focused on Him. When life is going great, we can easily fall prey to claiming the glory for ourselves. Human nature has an “I-dependency” problem that boasts: “See what I have achieved” or “Look what I own.” Whenever such a nature tries to manifest, we must remember that: “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel – that will stand” (Pro. 19:21). Solomon also said: “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You” (1Chr.29:14). Everything we have comes from the hand of God; He plans our steps; and what He decrees will stand. When we shift our focus to God and remember His works in our lives, “I dependency” bows to God-dependency!

Remembering God’s works delivers us from the trap of sin. We’ll rarely do something wrong while our mind is focusing on God! Israel was bundled into captivity essentially because they forgot all the mighty works God had done for them and turned to worshiping idols. When we don’t take time to remember God’s works, we run the risk of forgetting Him – until we’re in a crisis and need Him to rescue us once again! Many have turned to worshipping other gods such as affluence, career, hobbies, money, and material possessions. Satan constantly seeks a crack in the door so he can shove his foot in. Forgetting God is like swinging the door wide open and inviting Satan in. Taking time to remember the mighty works of God in our lives, slams the door shut on Satan and the temptations that he hurls at us (2Cor.10: 3-5).

Developing the habit of remembering what God has done for us, keeps our minds focused on His faithfulness, gives us opportunity to praise Him, help us recognise His blessings, and avoid sin. It’s time to remember God’s works in our lives.