Remember God's Goodness

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​My husband and I stood at an impasse. His job security was at stake; his livelihood on the line. Never in a million years did we think his very secure job would be threatened. We fasted, prayed, and pleaded with God to make a way. Our pastor counseled us to remember God’s past faithfulness in our lives as we faced an uncertain future.
 
Remembering God helped us walk the uncertain road with very certain faith. The more we recounted divine moments, milestones, and miracles, the more our trust, love, and obedience grew. Our pleas turned into praise. Remembering the past helped us move forward in faith, even when we couldn’t see the future. 

In Deuteronomy 8, Moses is commanding the Israelites to remember what God has done. Why? Remembrance leads to obedience. Remembering God’s past faithfulness would fuel their future obedience. Moses urged the people to remember their slavery in Egypt, how God delivered them, and why they must not elevate idols over the one true living God lest they perish (Deut. 8:18-20). 
 
Moses lists a multitude of manifestations of God from miracles to manna. He warns them to keep their hearts humble so they don’t turn away from the Lord their God when life is good. Moses warns against complacency which can lead to worshiping idols over the one true living God. If they forget God’s faithfulness, they will be tempted to turn to other gods instead of obeying the Lord their God.
 
It’s wise for us to consider Moses’ warnings and commands to the people of Israel. Although we are not slaves in Egypt, we were slaves to sin before God freed us. Our modern day problems may be different, but our source is still the same: the one true living God. Yet our human hearts can be quick to place our hope in a job instead of God. 
Even when life is downright hard, we can walk by faith in obedience to God when we remember who sustains us in this life, nothing else.
 
Remembrance leads to obedience. Not only is our faith strengthened, but our love for God grows deeper when we focus on how God weaves our story, provides for our families, and makes manna rain down in the desert seasons. In all our remembering, we also remember we didn’t earn the job, God gave it to us. We can allow the times of uncertainty to remind us we achieve nothing in our own strength, but only by God’s grace, “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant he swore to your fathers, as it is this day” (Deut.  8:17-18 ESV).
 
If God gave you this job, He will give you another one. If God gave you a home, He will provide a new place to live. If God gave you a family, He will sustain you in raising up your children. If he brought you to it, He will bring you through it. He is your ultimate source. And He is always faithful. 
 
How can you practice Moses’ command in your modern day life? Remember, write, and rejoice. Remember specific moments of God’s faithfulness, write them down, and then rejoice over them with prayers of thanksgiving and songs of praise.

Memory Verse: “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4

About the Author

Hi, I’m Audra! I am a writer, speaker, songwriter, and worship leader. I have been married for 9 years to my husband, Sam. We have three young children and live in the high desert of Albuquerque, NM. I am a homeschool mom, thrifty homemaker, and Kingdom Encourager. I love to share hope-filled perspectives and faith-building Biblical truths for a revival of joy in Jesus.