My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old - things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.
Psalm 78:1-6(NIV)
Looking back on life, there are these pinnacle moments where I knew without a moment of doubt that God had intervened for me in ways I cannot even begin to describe. Promises that He made, which came to pass, prophetic words shared to build one's faith. Yet, after all that He has done, we tend to forget.
It is that split second where we might be in a similar position where He did come through for us, but the voices of doubt and fear try to creep in: "Did He really say He would? Are you sure He can do that for you? Maybe it's too much to ask?"
That's why I love reading the Psalms. Chapter after chapter we see how the authors find themselves in difficult situations, but time and again they remind themselves of what God did for them in the past. Writing it down for generations to come, so that they can find their faith and hope in the Living God.
I think it is of utmost importance to pin these moments down, whether small or big, and to continually remind ourselves and our children, that the God who split the sea for the Israelites, is still on our side, and He will make all things work together for our good, but also for His glory to be revealed on earth (Romans 8:28).
Standing in the beginning of a new season, one has to be grateful for the past, but we shouldn't dwell in the past.
The rearview mirror is there to remind us where we came from but if we keep dwelling in the past, we might miss the opportunities right in front of us.
I like what John Bevere said in one of his podcasts "Conversations with Lisa & John Bevere." He said we have to learn how to exit with expectation. When we step out of a season, we use the past as a reminder that God will never leave us, but we exit with expectations for what He is about to do in the future.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Maybe there are words that God gave you, promises in His Word that you once held close to your heart, but somehow forgot about it. Or maybe you need a fresh word from the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to reveal to you those moments where He came through for you that you might not have been aware of. And while you are waiting for a word, be faithful to what He has already given you. Nurture it, and be expectant of what He is going to do through your life for others.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 32:8 (NIV)
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