When Remembering Becomes Strength

Well now, friend, look at you comin’ right up that ol’ garden path! Hurry up and come on up these ol’ front porch steps and settle into one of these rockers before your thoughts git to flutterin’ off like a startled lil’ ol’ covey of quail in a broom sage patch. Some days the heart sags lower than a ol’ wet overcoat on a fence post, and discouragement can git to creepin’ in quieter than a lil’ ol’ possum nosin’ around the smokehouse after dark.

That’s exactly why Psalm 42:6 feels so dear. The psalmist didn’t pretend his soul wasn’t cast down. He just plum knew where to turn when it was. He said, “O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee.” When the soul gets mighty heavy, remembrance becomes real holy medicine.

David sho’-nuff’ knew that same remedy. In 1 Samuel 30:6, when trouble piled up higher than firewood before a real cold blue norther, “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” He didn’t find strength by starin’ at the trouble. He found strength by turnin’ his heart back toward the God that had carried him before.

That’s plum why Psalm 77:11 says, “I will remember the works of the Lord: surely, I will remember thy wonders of old.” Friend, when you downright remember how God has provided, forgiven, rescued, and held you together, yesterday’s mercies start preachin’ courage to today’s fears. Ol’ blessin’s become real fresh bread.

Maybe that’s why the Lord lets us gather memories of His faithfulness like jars on a pantry shelf. We pull one down when the heart is hungry. We taste again the goodness of God, and hope rises. The longer you walk with Him, the more reasons you have to trust Him still.

Father, when my soul feels cast down, help me remember You. Bring to mind the ways You have carried me, comforted me, and shown Yourself faithful. Strengthen my heart with the memory of Your goodness and teach me to trust You again today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Alright then, friend, go on back out there and face this day without actin’ like sorrow gets the last biscuit on the platter. Let those ol’ mercies line up in your mind like fence posts down a country lane, each one remindin’ you that God has been faithful all along. An ol’ squirrel may forget where it buried half its acorns, but you don’t have to forget where God met you. When your soul feels low, reach back, remember well, and let yesterday’s grace put a mighty fresh spring right back into your step today.

With joy,

Gwen