It was there at Gilgal that Joshua piled up the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River. Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stone mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.” – Joshua 4:20–24 NLT
There is so much happening today that it is so easy to despair. There are health problems, family issues, and the current energy crisis. General increase in prices and cost of living, war and rumours of war everywhere and these are just to say the least. Many may be wondering where is God and why is He allowing all the upheaval?
In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to tell the younger generations the stories of God’s wonders. This wasn’t mainly passing down information or for fun. It was to impart into them the greatness of God, so that they knew who to turn to in times of trouble and despair.
David also remembered God’s goodness at a crucial stage in his life and he gave this reply to Saul:
“‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ Saul replied. ‘There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.’ But David persisted. ‘I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,’ he said. ‘When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!’” 1 Samuel 17:33 – 37 NLT
David remembering God’s deeds in his life spurred him on to one of his greatest victories. We would need to do the same, recall God’s goodness and faithfulness in the past to launch us into greater victories.
Sometimes, it would not be easy, see what this psalmist says,
“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” Psalm 42:11 NLT
This sounds painful, the psalmist here seems to be experiencing some sort of depression and says, “Why is my heart so sad?” But follows it with a precise decision, “I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again…”
Drag that discouraged and sad heart to a place of praise. Choose to remember God’s goodness and faithfulness and trust Him for the deliverance to come.
This is what you need to do today – Remember, Praise and Trust!
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 