“He brought us out of Egypt with His strong hand and outstretched arm, terrifying power, with signs and wonders, and bringing us into this country, He gave us this land flowing with milk and honey.” (Part of Today’s Reading Deuteronomy 26:4-10)
None of us like to deal with painful memories, be they memories of the wrongs we have done, or those of what others have done to us. They are not pleasant and truly can cause us much grief, if we dwell on them too much. I have even found myself at times asking God, “Please let me remember this no more?” Truly a prayer which has been to little avail. I have come to realise as the years past by, “painful memories” are truly a “blessing to us.”
In today’s reading Moses was reminding the Israelites, how Egypt had treated them so harshly. How they had been so oppressed and how they cried to God to deliver them out of it. He also told them they were now in a land flowing with “milk and honey.”
Even though “memories” are painful to bear at times, if we forgot them, we would also forget the “goodness of God.” We think we would not, but we are very fickle creatures in our nature.
The examples I can use for that statement are: Just think when the Israelites were taken out of Egypt through a parted sea and the moment they got hungry and thirsty, they forgot! They wanted to go back to Egypt! When Moses was a little late coming down from the mountain they forgot about the sea, the manna, the water, and made a molten calf. We are no different from them, no matter how we like to judge them for their “lack of faith.” They continually needed reminding where they once were and what God did for them. We need it also.
Without the memories of our pains of long ago, we would never remember the “deliverance of today.” We could never look back and see how far we have come since then, and how God “heard our cries.” Without this, we would have no hope nor faith.
The Bible tells us to “give thanks for all things.” The next time we “remember something painful,” we need to look up at God and say, “I thank you Lord for the deliverance. Even though there may be a scar, the wound You have healed.”
God Bless, SR
The grace of God is sufficient for us- thanks for sharing- Gob-bless
Welcome and thank you for comment, Liberty in Christ. Yes, God’s grace is sufficient for us, even though at times we have trouble knowing and seeing what that grace actually is. The important thing for me is to remember, it is there regardless. Again welcome and God Bless, SR
“Without the memories of our pains of long ago, we would never remember the “deliverance of today.” ”
It’s true. We can only see and appreciate our progress and triumphs by assessing them against the hardships we’ve overcome. For this reason, we can look back and say that the Lord has carried me a long way. Blessed be God!
Hey Biltrix,
Just in this last year, I could never appreciate where I am sitting at this moment, if God did not give me “memory.” I could offer no prayers of Thanksgiving, Biltrix. There would be no praise. Even though some memories are painful, we need them, for our hope and faith to grow. My soul feels like a breath of fresh air. I hope I never forget this past year, if I do, “remind me.” Thanks for comment and God Bless, SR
Wonderful observation! I think the title of this piece, and the last beautiful line of prayer at the end, are worth committing to memory to reflect on frequently.
Hey Reinkat,
Thank you. I am learning with painful moments/memories as I look back, I will always see God somewhere in the mist of them all. A lot of times what I see the most is the strength He gave/gives to me to get through situations which I could not bear without it. Thanks for comment and God Bless, SR