I REMEMBER THE DAYS -- Tomorrow:
"I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands." (Psa 143:5)
There are times when our memory is a rich resource–a deep well for spiritual recovery. Satan will tempt us to remember what should be forgotten, but the Spirit urges us to remember the things that are true and profitable. In the midst of these competing influences, it is good for the child of God to determine to remember what the Lord has done. That is when memory reaches its greatest potential. The Holy Spirit also becomes active in this good determination. One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to induce the remembrance of things relating to Christ Jesus (John 14:26; 2:22; 12:16; Acts 11:16).
In the 143rd Psalm, David was pouring out his supplication to the Lord. He confessed the enemy had "persecuted" his soul, crushed his life into the ground, and made him dwell in darkness. His spirit was overwhelmed within him, and his heart was distressed (v 3-4). Things did not appear pleasant, and no blessing was close enough to take hold of it. The future was unknown, and the present was not conducive to joy and gladness.
Surely you are able to identify with the experience. It is not an ideal one, and every believer would certainly rather avoid such times. Nevertheless, this experience is not unknown to those who walk by faith and live in the Spirit. What can a person in this state do? What remedy is there for such debilitating circumstances? How can we comport ourselves when we are in such a state?
David brings us the answer. "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands." When there was nothing present to gladden the heart, the "sweet Psalmist of Israel" (2 Sam 23:1), recalled the blessings of the past–the past in which God worked, confirming His love for His people. Not only concerning the saints of old, but for himself, David could recall the work of the Lord–the good things He had done. God rescued His people from Egyptian bondage, bringing them out of "the iron furnace" (Deut 4:20). He led and fed them in a wilderness, and caused them to triumph over kings and cities. As for David, the Lord enabled him to kill a lion and a bear that attacked his flock. He also caused him to triumph over Goliath of Gath, a giant seasoned warrior who had intimidated the army of Israel. Ah, pleasant memories, indeed–and they were all true.
Recalling the works of the Lord is like drawing water from a deep and refreshing well. It brings satisfaction and renewed strength to the soul that is being tested. It awakens hope, and revitalizes faith. When these precious gifts are strong, they summon joy into the heart, and gladness again dominates the individual. God blesses the soul who remembers what He has done!
When our own achievements are unfit to ponder, let us, like David, "meditate" on all of God's works. Let us take them into our minds and ponder them, rehearsing them in detail to our own souls. Let the recollection of these works culture your mind, and strengthen your reasoning. Get out of the present, and, by faith, leap into the Divine past. God has provided an abundance of provocative history upon which you may spend profitable time. Think how He made the world, upheld Noah, translated Enoch, and called Abraham. Recall how He used Elijah, walked with Isaiah, and revealed Himself to Ezekiel. Ponder the deliverances of Joseph, Daniel, and the three Hebrew children. It will not be long until your heart will again be strong, your hope dominating, and your joy unconquerable.
Like David, "muse" upon the work of God's hands. Musing involves recollection, weighing, and turning over in our minds what the Lord has done. As we muse, our own difficulties shrink, and the arm of the Lord looms large. Heaven then eclipses earth.
What a holy triad we have here! Remembering, meditating, and musing! And all three of them are centered in what the Lord has done. Such holy activity is one of the secrets of overcoming despair. This is a heritage belonging to the people of God.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to recall with profit Your great works of the past.