“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:11-12
As a child growing up in Sunday School one of the songs we used to sing was a Colin Buchanan classic called “Remember the Lord”. This song has always made an impression on me because while it comically goes through the mishaps and misfortunes of daily life, ultimately it’s a call to remember the Lord’s power, provision and protection no matter what we are going through.
Of course, Colin Buchanan was not the first person to issue such a reminder. If we turn to Scripture, we find many instances of God’s people calling one another to remember the Lord’s gracious character and works, and one example is Psalm 77. Here, the psalmist is crying out to God for help but is struggling to find comfort. His heart is troubled with questions that might resonate with us at times: “Will the Lord reject forever? Will He never show His favour again? Has His unfailing love vanished forever? Has His promise failed for all time?” (vv. 7-8)
Our present struggles can easily cause us to doubt the Lord’s goodness or to wonder if He really is in control. But it is at this point that the psalmist engages in the practice of remembrance, declaring: “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds” (vv. 11-12). As he recalls specific acts of God’s deliverance and faithfulness in the past, this gives him confidence to continue trusting God in the midst of present distress.
While the truth about God is that He is always good and always faithful, this is something we humans are prone to forget. However, in these times of spiritual amnesia we too can engage in this practice of remembrance as we call to mind all the ways God has acted on our behalf, most of all in the sending of His Son Jesus for our salvation. May this help us to trust Him through whatever we face.
Thank you Lord, for being our good and faithful God. Please help us to actively remember your works and to meditate on your character when we find ourselves forgetting or doubting who You truly are. As we turn to your Word, may we be constantly pointed back to all You have done for us in Jesus Christ, through whom we pray, Amen.
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Kat Cowell
Assistant Minister | Women and Families
stjudesrandwick.org.au
