REMEMBERING GOD’S FORMER BENEFITS

Deuteronomy 6:12New American Standard Bible (NASB)

12 then watch yourself, that you do not forget the Lord who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of [a]slavery.

Nothing contributes more effectively to encourage us to come to the throne of grace than the remembrance of God’s former benefits.

Do you remember when you had your first real doubts about your future...maybe it took days, weeks, or months before you pondered seriously where you were headed. There so many things about the way you conducted your life that you really didn't like but you had defended them to so many for so long that it was too late to turn back now...or so you thought.

Maybe you had a Christian friend or someone who wanted to be your friend, but you kept them at arm's length because the only thing they could talk about was their faith. Maybe they were bold enough to tell you that you were in slavery to your sins. Maybe you even knew it ,but again decided, it's too late to go back now...and then one day everything changed!

Somehow the Holy Spirit of God changed everything. You knew you were wrong in how you viewed life and especially God. Suddenly, you realized that the Bible you viewed was for weaklings needing a crutch now contained the words of life-real life! The words of Jesus that He was the only way to Father took on fresh meaning-not exclusivity or arrogance as you once thought. Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, died for all so that no one had an excuse for passing on to eternal damnation. Suddenly light was introduced to a dark soul and sins you held near and dear were now refuse for trash heap. What a glorious beginning of your new life in Jesus Christ!

However, slowly but surely, adversity from our old enemy, the world, the flesh, and the devil set in. Sure we maintained some semblance of our walk with Him, but the power of God in our life had waned. Our faith would succumb under this heavy adversity, and sorrow would choke our hearts, were we not taught to believe from the experiences of the past. It helps us to believe he will hear the prayers of his people and always do in the present and the future what he has done compassionately in the past.

"What has God done for you in the past? What about your history with him in your walk over the past years? Did he not keep his word? Did he ever fail to keep his word?

“Wilt thou not turn again and quicken us, that thy people will rejoice in thee?” (Psalm 85:6).

This has been my prayer: “Lord, do it again! Revival? Do it again. Strength, new refreshings of the Holy Spirit Lord, do it again! Miracles in the past? Lord, do it again!”

Go all the way back to the Law and hear what is revealed of his nature: “And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (Exodus 34:6-7).

That is what God was, and is, and will be! God has kept you so far; why would he turn from you now?"

Pastor David Wilkerson

If the power of God seems so far away remember the past deeds of God and how he brought you from slavery to sin to a new beginning afresh with him. Remember the words of this hymn and remember we can be renewed again and again. Remember again His deeds in your past!

1. We praise Thee, O God!
   For the Son of Thy love,
   For Jesus Who died,
   And is now gone above.
   • Refrain:
     Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
     Hallelujah! Amen.
     Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
     Revive us again.
2. We praise Thee, O God!
   For Thy Spirit of light,
   Who hath shown us our Savior,
   And scattered our night.
3. All glory and praise
   To the Lamb that was slain,
   Who hath borne all our sins,
   And hath cleansed every stain.
4. All glory and praise
   To the God of all grace,
   Who hast brought us, and sought us,
   And guided our ways.
5. Revive us again;
   Fill each heart with Thy love;
   May each soul be rekindled
   With fire from above.
6. William P. Mackay, 1863

You see, my Christian friend, His mercies are new every morning! 

Lamentations 3:22-23English Standard Version (ESV)

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]
    his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

See you next blog, 

Ted

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