Not long ago, while searching through one of my bulging bookshelves, I came across several journals that I had written over the span of three or four years. Unable to find the book I had originally been seeking, I opted instead to curl up into a cozy chair and have a little visit with my past self while I read about life during that time.
It was good to take this leisurely walk down Memory Lane. Each page contained private thoughts (concerns, confessions, hopes and dreams) as well as an accounting of the people I met, conversations I had, places I visited, how the workday unfolded, the daily chores I either had to do or else had performed, and the projects I hoped to accomplish in the house or yard.
Frequently interspersed between these subjects were the many prayers to God for help or
healing for others or me. When an unbearable, impossible or unnavigable situation had risen to its’ apex and was about to crush me, the next page would reveal the details of how God
unhurriedly, gently and faithfully provided an answer at just the right time. Recorded immediately following the resolution of a situation was the prayers of thankfulness for the many ways – oftentimes unexpected - in which God had supplied the answers that I had diligently sought.
Within these pages I discovered in amazement how God brought into reality the dreams that I had carried in my heart and prayed over for as long as I could remember. There were several times – more than I care to admit - when I had nearly given up. I poured my heart out to God and would constantly have to remind myself to hang on because the God who had answered earlier prayers (as evidenced by previous journal entries), would somehow also furnish answers to these current matters even though I could not see how. On more than one occasion I whispered the same words that the father of the possessed son said to Jesus in Mark 9:24: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” Ever eager to help His children, He also helped me. It was with great joy to read the evidence of His faithfulness recorded in black and white by my own hand on the pages of my journal. I fell in love with Him even more.
While we are in the midst of trying times, it’s easy to question where God is or if He has forgotten us because, instead of seeing His hand directly at work in a situation, we see only the blaring, crushing details of our oppressive circumstances.
In ages past, God knew that the Israelites of the Old Testament would behave similarly. He had performed great feats for them, yet each time they would enter into a new seemingly impossible
situation, they would forget that what He had done before, He could do again. As a result, He frequently admonished them to ‘forget not’ or to ‘remember.’
Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
He knew that they would need to intentionally remember what He had done for them in the past so that they could be confident that He would take care of them from generation to generation. But He didn’t want them to stop with only remembering for themselves; He also wanted them to tell their children and grandchildren of the wonderful provision He had made for them in every contingency. As a result of their repeated telling to others, they would also be reminded of God’s faithfulness to them which would, in turn, also be an encouragement in their present circumstances.
Today we have God’s Word (the Bible) available to us as a written reminder of the things He has done, and the things He longs to do for His children. While the Holy Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, I like to think of it also as God’s journal to us where we can read of the struggles,
failures and triumphs of others as well as the abiding faithfulness of God in any and every situation that mankind could find himself in the midst of. It is also filled with the many promises
He will fulfill in our life if we let Him.
Psalm 103:2-5 “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
While it is not good to dwell on the past, it is beneficial to see the route you have travelled and the many obstacles you have encountered (and hopefully overcome) along the way. If you look
closely, you will be able to see evidence of the presence of God’s hand at every turn.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
For those times when you cannot see His hand, trust His heart. He will never fail to keep His promises. The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
It was good to take this leisurely walk down Memory Lane. Each page contained private thoughts (concerns, confessions, hopes and dreams) as well as an accounting of the people I met, conversations I had, places I visited, how the workday unfolded, the daily chores I either had to do or else had performed, and the projects I hoped to accomplish in the house or yard.
Frequently interspersed between these subjects were the many prayers to God for help or
healing for others or me. When an unbearable, impossible or unnavigable situation had risen to its’ apex and was about to crush me, the next page would reveal the details of how God
unhurriedly, gently and faithfully provided an answer at just the right time. Recorded immediately following the resolution of a situation was the prayers of thankfulness for the many ways – oftentimes unexpected - in which God had supplied the answers that I had diligently sought.
Within these pages I discovered in amazement how God brought into reality the dreams that I had carried in my heart and prayed over for as long as I could remember. There were several times – more than I care to admit - when I had nearly given up. I poured my heart out to God and would constantly have to remind myself to hang on because the God who had answered earlier prayers (as evidenced by previous journal entries), would somehow also furnish answers to these current matters even though I could not see how. On more than one occasion I whispered the same words that the father of the possessed son said to Jesus in Mark 9:24: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” Ever eager to help His children, He also helped me. It was with great joy to read the evidence of His faithfulness recorded in black and white by my own hand on the pages of my journal. I fell in love with Him even more.
While we are in the midst of trying times, it’s easy to question where God is or if He has forgotten us because, instead of seeing His hand directly at work in a situation, we see only the blaring, crushing details of our oppressive circumstances.
In ages past, God knew that the Israelites of the Old Testament would behave similarly. He had performed great feats for them, yet each time they would enter into a new seemingly impossible
situation, they would forget that what He had done before, He could do again. As a result, He frequently admonished them to ‘forget not’ or to ‘remember.’
Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
He knew that they would need to intentionally remember what He had done for them in the past so that they could be confident that He would take care of them from generation to generation. But He didn’t want them to stop with only remembering for themselves; He also wanted them to tell their children and grandchildren of the wonderful provision He had made for them in every contingency. As a result of their repeated telling to others, they would also be reminded of God’s faithfulness to them which would, in turn, also be an encouragement in their present circumstances.
Today we have God’s Word (the Bible) available to us as a written reminder of the things He has done, and the things He longs to do for His children. While the Holy Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, I like to think of it also as God’s journal to us where we can read of the struggles,
failures and triumphs of others as well as the abiding faithfulness of God in any and every situation that mankind could find himself in the midst of. It is also filled with the many promises
He will fulfill in our life if we let Him.
Psalm 103:2-5 “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
While it is not good to dwell on the past, it is beneficial to see the route you have travelled and the many obstacles you have encountered (and hopefully overcome) along the way. If you look
closely, you will be able to see evidence of the presence of God’s hand at every turn.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
For those times when you cannot see His hand, trust His heart. He will never fail to keep His promises. The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
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