REMEMBER GOD'S GOODNESS

By Carl Roberts

 

There are plenty of records in the Scriptures where we are required to remember what God has done for us. A record worth bringing to our attention is:

Ephesians 2:11-12:
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Verse 12 tells us of our hopeless state when we were without Christ, having no hope and without God in the world. Furthermore, in Ephesians 2:1b and following it tells us even more:

Ephesians 2:1b-3:
... who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Man’s need to be redeemed from this lowly position could only come from God Almighty with a costly price. His love was so great that he gave his only begotten Son.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:4-6)

From being dead in sins, he quickened us together with Christ. God pulled us up from such a lowly position and put us in an exalted one.

Another record for our learning of God’s goodness can be found in Exodus. Israel was in bondage to Egypt having task-masters set over them to afflict them with their burdens. Their lives were made bitter with hard bondage, and were made to serve with all rigour. If this were not enough, the king of Egypt told the Hebrew midwives that they were to kill all the sons that were born of the Hebrews.

The pressure these poor people were going through seems hard to comprehend; working until they were physically exhausted, but even worse the emotional wrenching of the heart concerning the Hebrew boys that were born and were to be killed. There must have been many prayers and cries for help. God heard their cries and their prayers for deliverance were answered because of God’s love for them.

God wanted Israel to remember how he delivered them out of bondage.

Deuteronomy 7:18b-19:
... but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;
19 The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid.

In times when we are afraid, where do we put our trust?

Psalm 20:7:
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 56:3-4:
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Many years ago I was in danger of losing my house, having been told it would not be possible for me to keep making the payments. It was a very depressing time for me and it seemed hopeless with no answer. But one scripture in particular helped me through this problem. It was:

Proverbs 3:5-6:
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I learned many things from these verses, but most importantly to me that he would direct my steps. I still remember how relieved I was when I was told I could keep the house. Only God could have directed an outcome like this.

Not only is it good to remember the works of the Lord, but we are to meditate and talk of his doings.

Psalm 77:11-12:
I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

What joy we will have telling others about being reconciled to God through the Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you in his name. Amen.

 

 

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From the March 2002 issue of The Vine & Branches