What can quickly access your brain’s photo album, seize snapshots of the past, and then paste them on the front of your mind? Smells? Sights? An old familiar face or place? Memories have the power to paint broad smiles or turn them upside down.
Last week, Ron and I vacationed at the beach. As I sat on the condo balcony enjoying my early morning coffee, an old memory flooded back, causing my heart and face to smile. In my mind, I saw myself sitting on a beachside bench with my grandfather when I was 13 years old. We sat together quietly for a long time, just watching the waves roll in and out, sniffing the ocean breeze, and listening to the seagulls. But the best part of this beach-provoked memory is how he broke the silence. With a faraway look in his eye, he softly said, “Just think. God made all of this.” And in that moment, I was completely overwhelmed by the majesty and greatness of our God. I still am.
For the past few weeks, we’ve talked about stringing pearls – that mental exercise of linking one Bible aha moment to another to create the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Our life’s memories and pearls of biblical truth are often strung on separate strands. However, when we intentionally string newfound Bible truths WITH our memories, we can wrap our hearts with much-needed healing and/or profound comfort. It helps to remember God’s faithfulness.
Over and over again, God commanded people in Scripture to remember. Kristi McClelland, in her book Feasting on God’s Word, says, “When we think of remembering, we often do so in terms of reflecting on a past event or recalling a memory. But for the Jewish people, remembering is a forward-moving practice and rhythm of walking with the living God. To zakhar (Hebrew word for remember) is to intentionally pause, taking time to look back and remember God’s faithful record in our lives; doing so fills us with courage to proceed forward.”
Courage to proceed forward! Nowhere in Scripture does God command us to dwell on our painful memories. That only keeps us in the past. He may choose to remove a heavy burden from us, or He may give us the strength to carry it. Either way, God is on our side. He wants us to focus on His faithfulness in turning ALL our memories into something positive. When we do that, we realize we can trust Him with whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.
If only the Israelites had remembered God’s extreme faithfulness in the desert. Time after time, God provided for them. He purified the bitter water at Marah to quench their thirst, but all they focused on was their thirst. He gave them manna and quail to eat as they journeyed toward freedom in a land flowing with milk and honey; yet they only remembered the fish, cucumbers, melons, onions, leeks, and garlic they ate as slaves. As they neared the Promised Land, they feared the giants in the land and forgot how God had miraculously rescued them from Pharaoh.
It’s easy to criticize the Israelites for not remembering all God did for them. But when our world turns upside down, it’s just as easy for us to forget the times He’s come through. We forget the moments when He has comforted us in our grief, rescued us from tough times, strengthened us in our battles, and given us grace that we could never earn. We overlook His marvels of creation, the coo of a baby, the kind acts of a friend, and the blessings He has so generously poured out on us. Lord, help us when we forget to remember that You hold all things together.
September 10 brought sorrow and grief. Many of our hearts were shattered as the news of that day unfolded. No doubt, many of us will remember for years to come where we were when we heard about the death of Charlie Kirk. That day will become a memory that either makes us fearful and cynical or faithful and hopeful. If we faithfully attach that memory to pearls of truth on both sides, we have a better chance of staying hopeful. Even with broken hearts, we can look back and remember everything God has already brought us through and trust that a better day is on the horizon. Remembering will help us have the courage to proceed forward!
If one day I sit on a beachside bench with one of my grandchildren, I want to teach them how to focus on the majesty and greatness of our God. I want to show them pearl after pearl of my memories and explain how God showed up every time. Then, one Day, we will sit with Jesus beside the River of Life listening to how He worked ALL THINGS for our good. Then, maybe, just maybe, I’ll whisper, “Just think. God made all that work out.”
“Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!”
(Psalms 42:5 and 11 NLT)
