Daily PresenceSample

I love going back to Wyoming every year. I love getting together with my friends who still live there or who happen to also be visiting. We get together, laugh, and relive stories repeatedly. It never grows old. I know what’s coming; I know which one of us played the hero (or the goat) of the tale. Sometimes I feel like I am reliving the moments in my head.

I thought of that as I read Moses repeating the stories that the people experienced. Moses continually reminded them of everything: the victories and the failures. Why? Because it’s our folly to forget. We forget the times GOD has delivered us when faced with new struggles. We forget the pain we created from our last trip down the road of disobedience.

Moses gathers everyone together, and they are retold the stories. We need reminding of all the good that GOD has done for us. We need reminding of what happens when we turn from GOD. We need reminding that GOD remains faithful to bring us back yet again after all the times we turn away. The ones who were there nod vigorously in agreement as they relive the Sea parting. Those who were too young hear the great stories and have their faith built. They hear the stories of when people turned away and somberly dealt with the hurt that they had created.

I vividly remember a time of struggling with failures and fears (not the only time in my life if I am being honest). I had been in the grips of feeling alone and forgotten for months. My pastor told the anecdote of a man coming to the altar and telling GOD that he just couldn’t follow HIM anymore but thought he ought to at least thank HIM for things that GOD had done before. The more his mind rested upon past moments of GOD’S grace, the more he realized how much GOD was there now. It was anecdotal but for me it worked. I literally felt like saying “no more” but forced myself to start remembering times that I could point to GOD doing something, anything. The burden of feeling alone after months and months of struggle lifted. So, if you are struggling, take time to remember times where you know GOD was there. Allow yourself to relive those moments and that grace.