My soul is downcast within me therefore I will remember You.
Psalm 42:6a
I awake in the middle of the night, mind racing, wondering if we will make it through this. Then His spirit speaks, reminding me to remember all He has brought us through so far.
Like the time when I got an unexpected call while I was at the fair with two of our three girls.
It was a friend of our other daughter, the one who had stayed home. The friend was worried, concerned about our girl’s mental state.
The happy faces, the smell of cotton candy, the laughter of strangers—all of it discordant with the realities on the other end of the phone. I felt helpless. I desperately wished I was home with our daughter in that moment.
Our dearly loved daughter had been struggling for some time. Being a target for the school bully the year before had left her wounded. The fallout of that experience was dark. And that darkness lasted a long time.
I clung to the LORD through the darkness, ate of His Word.
I related with King David who said, “I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow.”
And I prayed. Never have I prayed like I did in that season.
Jesus carried me through and He brought our sweet girl out of darkness into His healing light. Praise God!
There was a moment just before the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land when Moses told them to remember all the LORD had done for them. Moses explained that this is why they were commanded to observe the Sabbath day.
Jesus also instructed us to remember Him on the Sabbath. (Luke 22:19)
The Sabbath is a day of rest and a day of remembering all the LORD has done.
May you and I take this unexpected gift of time-slowed to rest and remember all the hard circumstances the LORD has already brought us through. May this knowledge bring us peace.
READ:
Deuteronomy 5:15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore, the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.
Psalm 77:11-15 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will mediate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples, with Your mighty arm You redeem Your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
REFLECT:
Remember and write down the challenging circumstances the LORD has brought you through. Write them below. In the coming days, when you feel down, return to your list to remind yourself of His work in your life. Praise Him and rest in His faithfulness, knowing He will see you through your unique COVID-19 challenges.
PRAY:
Father, thank you for the work of Your mighty Hand in my life and for all You have brought me through. Help me to remember You when I am down. When I doubt help me to remember your faithfulness, to know that You are my sure foundation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Unnesting During COVID-19 Devotional, Day 5: Rejoice
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