Archives: November 2009

Remember, remember...

By Liza Hoeksma

Remember, remember the 5th of November. Why? Because it makes a good rhyme. Or because we really want to think about Guy Fawkes. Is it just me or is it a bit weird that every year we celebrate that over 400 years ago someone tried to blow up Parliament and failed? I love a good firework as much as the next person but the events of 1605 don’t seem like the most important thing for us to think about every year.

Anyway, that aside, the idea of remembering good things is actually a pretty helpful one. In the Bible one of the Psalmists says:

'I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.'
Psalm 77 v11-12

The interesting thing is, before saying this the Psalmist had been doing some pretty serious questioning. Will the Lord reject forever? (v7) Has his unfailing love vanished for good? (v8) Is he too angry to show compassion? (v9) Whatever was happening for the Psalmist he was going through a pretty tough time.

Can you relate to that? Have there been times recently where you’ve wondered where God is and whether he’s the kind and loving God you thought he was?

If so, take a note from the Psalmist’s book. He’s honest enough to ask the questions of God but he doesn’t stay in that place of pain and give-in to disillusionment.

Instead he remembers the things God has done in the past. He starts focusing on the things he knows of God to be true from the works of his hands previously. And suddenly the tone of Psalm changes. The painful questions are replaced with exultations and praises. ‘What god is so great as our God?’ (v13) ‘You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.’ (v14). It sounds like his faith levels have taken a pretty dramatic rise!