Walking Through FireBeispiel

Day 4: Remembering

I open the Bible to Psalms, my go-to book for lament. The psalmists' willingness to put their pain before God, raw and unfiltered, and let Him handle it, comforts me. One, in particular, captures my attention, Psalm 77, the song of Asaph who says in desperation: 

“I cry aloud to God, and he will hear me…My soul refuses to be comforted… Has God forgotten to be gracious? …Then I said, I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds…You are the God who works wonders … Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.”

I ponder the last line, long and hard… "Yet your footprints were unseen." Asaph is remembering a time when God guided the children of Israel though they couldn’t see Him. And yet, their deliverance was so miraculous, so extraordinary, so impossible that only God could have done it.

Remembering. We need to do that in the valleys of life. As I think about God’s past faithfulness, I am comforted by recognizing the unmistakable evidence of His work in my own life. Remembering and then journaling about those times when the Lord has helped me has given me courage in the present and hope for the future. 

The Bible calls them Ebenezers. Stones that remind us of God’s presence, His help, His faithfulness.

The Israelites frequently gathered these stones of remembrance, affirming their victory was the result of divine assistance, not human strength. Remembering the past gave them hope for the future. And that is a reminder for us as well because sometimes looking backward is the way forward. 

Ask: 

What are some ways you have seen God’s hand in your suffering? When have you seen His love and care in your life? Write down some Ebenezers you’ve found in your own story. 

Pray:

Lord, bring to mind all the ways in which you’ve walked with me thus far. Remind me of your faithfulness, kindness, love, and care in the most difficult parts of my story. Help me to see how you have delivered me through the many trials I’ve faced. Amen.