Remembering God's Help

 I have a hard time remembering names, and it has only gotten worse as I get older. It’s frustrating because I have an excellent memory in other areas. It’s funny, though – some relatively meaningless things have been burned into my memory forever while I have difficulty recalling other things that have much more importance.

 

Jesus had been teaching a great crowd on a mountainside by the Sea of Galilee. He called to His disciples and said to them, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat” (Matthew 15:32). The disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” (Matthew 15:33). Jesus then took seven loaves and two fish and was able to feed the whole crowd through a miraculous work.

 

My first thought when I read this passage is always, “Gosh, those disciples didn’t have a very good memory! They already saw Jesus feed another crowd of thousands with just five loaves and two fish. Couldn’t they just ask Him if He could do the same thing for this crowd?”  Then I stop to think – maybe that’s the point. How many times have I not turned to God with a particular problem when He has already helped me in the same or similar situation before?

 

During this Thanksgiving week, let’s take time out to remember all that God has done for us. Consider starting a journal, a Book of Thanksgiving, that you write in each time God intervenes to help and bless you. Re-read your journal when you need a reminder of God’s love and care for you. Know that “God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

 

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song”   (Psalm 95:1-2).

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The individual posts in this blog have been collected into a book, Reflections From the Basic Truths Blog.  It is available for free as an ebook through Barnes and Noble, https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reflections-from-the-basic-truths-blog-james-yarmchuk/1147055811?ean=2940181202702, Apple Books, and multiple other book websites. It is available for a minimal charge on Amazon and can also be purchased as a paperback through them.