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My daughter calls me Dory. She even gave me a small travel sized tin for cotton swabs because Dory is on the lid. Think back to the adorable movie Finding Nemo. Yeah. That Dory. The adorably lovable blue fish-friend who struggles with short-term memory loss. Ahem.
I do forget things.
Regularly.
Where I put my keys. Why I was going upstairs. Who that person is. What I was talking about… mid-sentence.
Now, let’s pause for a reality update before you start sending me emails advising me to take ginkgo biloba, use essential oils or meet with a doctor… it’s more my personality than a brain function issue. I’m good, people. Just a bit forgetful and easily distracted.
But as I read Psalm 106, my heart is crushed and crumbles at the realization that I’m dangerously similar to the forgetful Israelites who experienced vibrant miracles from the God who leads His children through and delivers them from deep, dark waters.
They forgot the tenderness of the Hands that had snatched them from chains of oppression and bondage, lifted them from pits of depression and hopelessness, and restored them from brokenness and rebellion.
We have sinned, even as our ancestors did;
we have done wrong and acted wickedly.
7 When our ancestors were in Egypt,
they gave no thought to your miracles;
they did not remember your many kindnesses,
and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea
8 Yet he saved them for his name’s sake,
to make his mighty power known.
(Psalm 106:6-8)
They forgot the God who called them His own. His chosen. His redeemed. His children.
They gave no thought to His miracles.
They forgot the God who provided and guided.
He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up;
he led them through the depths as through a desert.
10 He saved them from the hand of the foe;
from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them.
11 The waters covered their adversaries;
not one of them survived.
12 Then they believed his promises
and sang his praise.
13 But they soon forgot what he had done
and did not wait for his plan to unfold.
14 In the desert they gave in to their craving;
in the wilderness they put God to the test.
(Psalm 106:9-14)
They forgot the God who remembered His covenant.
They doubted. They grumbled.
They gave into carnal cravings.
They put God to the test.
Reading about the forgetful Israelites is like looking into the mirror of my soul and seeing my own forgetful heart.
Lord, I’m so sorry. Help me remember.
I want to be a woman who remembers God’s faithfulness and compassion… His miraculous power and intervention… His goodness, holiness, worthiness and love. Are you with me?
Dory may be a cute movie character, but she’s not a cute soul-sister.
Today I will be intentional to remember the greatness of God and live in response to His faithfulness and love.
Faithful Lord,
Please forgive my forgetfulness. Help me to live in responsive worship to the wonder of my salvation. Thank You for remembering Your promises and for being a Covenant Keeper, full of grace. Restore my soul-memory to give constant thanks and praise.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
Read Psalm 106. What stands out to you today?
Spend some time in prayer and confession.
Remembering YOU today fondly, friend.
GWEN
PS. Looking for a new Bible Study? Be sure to download my FREE 5-Day Psalm Challenge! It will help you grow closer to God, hear Him more clearly, learn more about Him and experience deep peace and strength. (What are you waiting for? Download it now!) 🙂
Comments 10
Thanks, Gwen. I read the OT and wonder how in the world God put up with the Israelites and their constant forgetting, changing, not following, etc., etc. And then I realize, the God of grace was with them as He is with me and I’m thankful!
A funny note about forgetting – I was at my office calling one of our clients – but by the time he had picked up the phone, I had totally forgotten who I’d called. Talk about red face when I had to say, “This is….. and I completely forgot who I called…”
Ah well – such is life… good for a smile and a laugh!
Oh the richness of your relationship with the Lord! Streams of living water flows from the words you write. I have see many years and read many meditations; the Holy Spirit inevitably stirs my soul and spirit when I read yours and they always lead me to Jesus. Please receive these words as gift. I know well that all praise for your life and witness goes to the Lord, but the He wants you to know that he is well pleased with you. I thank God for you!
I am so with you Gwen! I see a copassionate and merciful God, who loves us like no other! A forgiving God! Lord Jesus, forgive me for times I fret and worry in my life. Holy Spirit, help me remember the many, many times that God intervened in my life and the miracles he did in my life. Help me to remember when I fall back into the sin of complaining, worry for my children and their future, and our nations future. You are God and you are very present always and your timing is perfect and you are a God of order and thank you that nothing happens without passing through you. I love you Jesus and thank you for saving me! Where would I be without you?! Amrn
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Yes. Yes. Yes!!! Amen. Love this, Holly!
Psalm 106:13, “But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold.”
Father, please forgive me for forgetting and not waiting for You.
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YES! Amen, Patti. Lord, help us to wait on and hope in you.
It is so easy for us to forget God’s faithfulness. Whenever the storms hit, especially when they come one after another and yet another, it’s easy to focus on the raging waves. But God. Oh our faithful God! May we build our ebenezers to remind us of God’s faithfulness.
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Yes, Beth! Yes! What a powerful thing it is for us as a community of believers to REMIND each other to REMEMBER!! Thanks for doing life with me!
Gwen
So many of our sisters have forgotten God’s past blessings because 2020 was so bad, and now 2021 isn’t getting off to any better start. “ Has the Lord forsaken us?”, many ask. In the midst of our fears and doubts, we are placated by sermons and Bible studies with “ God loves us”, “ we are enough”, “ listen to His voice”, “pray and fast”, “ 7 ways to a peaceful life”, etc. These are needed topics, but we are not receiving the message for our times…prophecies from Daniel, Ezekiel and Revelations. Here we find the continued voice of God telling us exactly what to expect before He returns, yet, because it frightens us, we refuse to hear it, preachers won’t teach it and we forget His constant blessings and love. Gwen has reminded us of “ the tenderness of the Hands that had snatched them from chains of oppression and bondage, lifted them from pits of depression and hopelessness, and restored them from brokenness and rebellion.” He is still in the business of fulfilling His promises. Let’s commit to studying His promises ( “end time
prophecies “) and rejoice in the fact that we were put here “ for such a time as this”!
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Such a powerful word, Sheila. It is vital we as believers yield our hearts and hopes to the will of the Father! His Word reveals His will… and as we REMEMBER to open the Good Book and trust His sovereignty, our souls find the rest we long for. Even in times of turbulence…