God and You: Remember and Reflect

How good at you at remembering things? How about thinking deeply and reflecting (another word for reflecting is meditating) on things - do you reflect deeply about things that happen to you?

The Bible frequently talks about remembering and reflecting. There is a clear message here for us.

• Psalm 77:12 I will reflect upon all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
• Psalm 119:15 (a personal favourite) I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
• Psalm 143:5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

It's a message repeated over and over in the New Testament as well (Ephesians 2:12; 2 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 10:32; Hebrews 13:7; 2 Peter 1:15; Revelation 2:5 and 3:3): remember what God has done for you.

Here's a thought. Stop what you are doing right now and take time out. Make a list of the good things God has done for you in your life. How he brought you to himself. How he has kept you close to him since then, through the ups and downs of your life. How the Spirit of God has spoken to you in your Bible reading.

Write down the times people have said they have been praying for you. And the times other Christians have encouraged you to keep going and shown you love over the years. How about the times it was clear God obviously intervened in your life at some point.

Add to the list the good things that have happened at MAC in the last 12 months. And the good things that God has done in the lives of those around you lately. If you've finished your list, just reflect on it for a while.

When we feel low and troubled, unloved, or persecuted - as the psalmists often did - we can take their advice: remember and reflect upon the goodness of our God to us.