Committed Remembrance
Faithful You are
Faithful You’ll be
Thanks be to God
Has always been my testimony
It's always been my testimonySo with hands lifted high
And my heart contrite
With the fruit of my lips
I will bless You God
Let this praise be my sacrificeSo I'll build an altar
And I will remember
And I'll never forget
Never forget
All that You have done“I Will Remember” by KJ Scriven
How quick I am to forget the faithfulness of God. My personality is prone to doubt, melancholy, and pessimism. All too easily, I forget the good. Instead of “considering it all joy” when in trial, as the book of James commands us to do, I keep my mind stayed on what is not good. I’m drawn to the trouble instead of the treasure that will inevitably come in the midst of it — more of Him.
As suffering is far from enjoyable, I cannot deny the beauty that inevitably comes on the other side of it. If I had not grieved, I would not have needed a Comforter. If I hadn’t come to the end of myself, experiencing the depravity and repercussions of my sin, I would not have needed a Redeemer. If I had not suffered, I would not be in the market for a Savior. And because I am so quick to forget, wander, and worry, God graciously reminds me of all He has to offer through the most effective means — trial.
As good as it is to know that God will meet us and reveal Himself to us in every season, it does feel impossible to focus on the good without immeasurable effort. Maybe it’s because we are out of practice. This makes me wonder……what would happen in the Church if we were committed to remembering?
In spiritual winters, summers, and everything in between, what if we were steadfast about building altars for God instead of cases against Him? Imagine what would change in our lives, and the lives of those around us, if we truly believed and remembered that a broken and contrite heart is meant to be a sacrifice unto God, not a reason to avoid Him.
Isaiah 57:15 says this…
“For this is what the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isaiah 57:15 NASB)
The One who is Ruler over all things, Creator of the world and King of the Universe, commits to also being with the brokenhearted, the remorseful, and the lowly of spirit so that He may be the one to revive what is low. If that is where He dwells, then that is where I want to be.
Father, Savior, and Holy Comforter,
Thank You for your mercy and Your nearness. I’m so glad Your presence does not depend on whether or not I “feel” You with me. Just as the wind is surely around, You are surely here with me through every season. (Psalm 139) I can bank my life on the fact that you are good, and Your goodness doesn’t change. (Nahum 1:7, Hebrews 13:8)
Though it is a risky endeavor to trust in the God I have not seen, You call me blessed for doing so. I have “tasted and seen” Your goodness, and that is enough for me. (Psalm 27:13, Psalm 34:8, John 20:29). Teach me to wait on You, and trust that Your mercies truly never end. “They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness!”(Lamentations 3:22-23)
I surrender all, and I will worship You endlessly.
“I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalms 18:1-2 CSB
Listen To The Song!
Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-will-remember/1561556380?i=1561556382
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/6wJjEoovGpsy4wBpkEgNj8?si=QYSFTdvCSISvyOL9VG2tdw
