Remembering the Past

By Shane Kastler

“I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.” (Psalm 77:11)

Sometimes we forget how God has taken care of us in the past. This is especially true when we're in the midst of hard times. The problem that lies before us, blinds us to the God who is above us. This leads to fear, sadness, and anxiety. For this reason, we need to constantly be reminded of how God has taken care of us in the past; and will do so in the future.

In Old Testament times, God instructed the nation of Israel to do an annual event called “The Feast of Booths.” For one week, they would live in makeshift, temporary houses; kind of like our version of a tent. This was to remind them, that when their ancestors were in Egyptian bondage, God had delivered them. And while they were in the wilderness, they had lived in these temporary structures. Indeed, the wilderness was not their home. The promised land would be. But for the time being, they lived in booths.

In one sense, this feast might make Israel be thankful for how much God had blessed them. Unlike their ancestors, they were not living in temporary structures as they awaited a future land. They had arrived (so to speak), and had this annual reminder that things weren't so bad for them.

In another sense, the booths their forefathers lived in were actually a great blessing from God. After all, a freeman living in a booth is better than a slave living in a mansion. And much greater than a slave living in Egyptian bondage. God had delivered Israel, and in due time they would inherit the promised land. The Feast of Booths reminded Israel how faithful God had been, and how much He had blessed them.

If you are reading these words, then God has blessed you too. The ability to read alone sets you apart from much of human history. Illiteracy and poverty have marked all places and all times. But relatively speaking, 21^st century Americans are better educated and have more material possessions than their ancestors did. Yet often, we are still not happy. Why is that? Perhaps we need to be reminded of how much worse things could be, and of how much better they are today.

Of course, I cannot speak to your personal situation. But chances are, you are far more blessed than you realize. Walk with the Lord today. Seek His will for tomorrow. And remember what He has done in the past. Pray that God would remind you of all the ways in which you are blessed; and respond by living in the eternal faith and hope that knowing Christ can provide.