I'm working my way through Max Lucado's latest, "Glory Days," when Lucado describes a conversation he had with his daughter, Andrea.
Lucado is worried about meeting a book deadline. Andrea asks a simple question, "Have you ever missed a deadline before?" Lucado answers, No."
Andrea then asks, "So God has helped you fifteen times already?" This time Lucado answers, "Yes."
"He's helped you each time? If he has helped you fifteen different times, don't you think He will help you this time?"
Lucado goes on to write, "Satan has no recourse to your testimony. Your best weapon against his attacks is a good memory."
Now, I don't want to quibble with a great writer like Lucado. I would say that our best weapon against wily Satan is the mighty Word of God.
Still, remembering what God has done for you is one of the best ways to see your way past the temptations and lies of the devil.
Remembering is the good advise Asaph gives us in Psalm 77.
Asaph is troubled. And he's wondering if God even cares, if God is even interested in his life.
He asks, "Has (God's) steadfast love forever ceased...Has God forgotten to be gracious...Has He in anger shut up His compassion?"
Ah, but then the psalmist writes (in verse 11): "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old."
And, as Asaph remembers, he is comforted. He is reminded of God's holiness and greatness. He remembers God's redeeming power. He goes all the way back to the freeing of Israel from Egyptian slavery. He remembers how God parted the sea, providing an escape for the people. I love verse 19: "Your way was through the sea, Your path through the great waters; yet Your footprints were unseen."
What trouble are you facing today? Another delay in scheduling the job interview, the job you so desperately need? Unrelenting pressure of raising teenagers who want to start exerting their independence? Conflict with a co-worker which makes going to work an unbearable experience?
Instead of worrying, try remembering.
Remember how God has opened doors of opportunity for you in the past. If He did so before, can't he do so again?
Remember how God has helped you raise your kids right up to this very day. If he's given you the wisdom and patience to love and nurture your kids to their teen years, doesn't it only make sense that He will keep on helping you now?
Remember how God has given you the courage and knowledge to deal with difficult people in the past. Is your present situation too hard for God to help you solve?
Why is it good to remember? So we can be reassured that God's steadfast love has not ceased...that He has not forgotten to be gracious...that He has not closed off His compassion to us.
Remember...and then rejoice. God is with you in your trouble - even if you can't see His footprints!
