I was thinking this morning about the faithfulness of God. God does so many amazing things and often we fail to recognize them. Every day he is the same. Without fail God puts on a display of his power every morning as the sun rises from the east. The sun is 865,000 miles thick, 1.3 million times heavier than earth, and blazes at one million degrees. God has placed it at just the right location…a little closer we would be consumed, a little further away, and we would freeze. His power is on display! Yet, for me it’s easy to take God’s creation for granted.
As we look back over this year it’s easy to count our difficulties, our challenges, and frustrations. We have been through a lot this year. But if you and I will take time to do some reflection, we’ll realize God has been faithful this year. He has provided for us and protected us. He has given us strength, courage, and peace. He has given us wisdom when we needed it. God has answered prayers and shown him as the good Father he is.
But if you are like me, sometimes you are forgetful. Sometimes we forget God.
I was reading in Exodus chapter 5. Moses in obedience to God is going before Pharaoh requesting that the children of Israel be released. Pharoah is angry and as a result he is making life more difficult for the Israelites.
In verses 22-23, the Bible say, “Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.”
Moses is discouraged. He doesn’t understand what God is doing. He has been called by God to represent Him before Pharaoh. Pharaoh doesn’t respond well. In fact, he makes life more difficult for the Israelites. Now, the Israelites are frustrated with Moses. “God, what is going on here?”
Moses needed to remember his encounter with God back at the burning bush. God had told him explicitly… “I will be with you and I will lead these people out of Egypt.”
As I read this story, I can’t help but think of the many times I have forgotten what God said and I needed to be reminded of what he has said and what he has done.
Like Moses, we begin to question God. I begin to forget important truths about God. If you read the entire story of the nation of Israel, you will see God reminding them over and over again…. “Do not forget me.”
Like Moses, we forget:
•We forget Who God is
Over and over again, Moses and Aaron, and the Israelites had to be reminded of who the Lord is. When Moses threw his questions back at God, the Lord didn’t answer his questions. He simply reminded Moses of who He is.
•We forget what God has done
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…”
•We forget what God has promised
God has made us promises! His character and reputation are at stake. God always keeps his promises.
Have you forgotten God? Have you forgotten who he is? Have you forgotten what he has already done? Have you forgotten what he has promised? Have you forgotten his power? Have you forgotten his love?
Today’s Challenge: Make time for remembrance! Over the next day or two, instead of focusing on your questions, decide to focus on what you know about God. Focus on those things in which you have confidence. Thank him for this assurance. Live in his presence and in his promise.
