November 26, 2020
Remember What God Has Done For You
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father (James 1:17, NLT).
Friend to Friend
Our grandchildren are a source of great joy in my life and some of my most capable teachers. One of the most powerful lessons came from our daughter’s oldest son, Justus. When he was about five years old, Justus reminded me that God is the ultimate Gift-Giver.
Justus has always loved dirt. If he is not truly dirty – he is not truly happy.
One of his favorite toys to play with in his beloved dirt was what he called a “digger.” Justus had quite a collection of plastic construction vehicles and knew the name of each one. But he preferred to call them diggers … so diggers it was.
Our daughter and son-in-law wisely gave Justus a section of their backyard where he could happily dig and play with his diggers. He spent hours transferring dirt from one part of his work site to another, creating mounds of dirt while building what he called “massive” cities, and then tearing them down to begin all over again.
One day, our daughter was enjoying a beautiful, sunny afternoon with Justus and his younger brother, Hudson. Danna was reading and Hudson was contentedly snoozing while Justus happily played with - you guessed it - his diggers.
Justus suddenly stopped, sprung to his feet, and thrust both arms in the air as high as they could reach. With his smiling little face turned toward heaven, Justus shouted at the top of his lungs, “God, thank You for my dirt!”
I am fairly sure time stood still for a moment.
I am almost certain heaven paused as God smiled and replied, “You are so welcome, Justus.”
I tend to forget that God is the ultimate gift-giver. How often do I dismiss His gifts as something to which I am somehow entitled? How often do I take His gifts for granted?
Everything good in our lives comes from God. He is the source of all good things and the giver of all good gifts.
Remember what God has done for you.
I love all of the Psalms, but one of my favorites is Psalm 136 which is a song or hymn the Hebrews sang in worship. What makes Psalm 136 unique is that it was also used as a responsive reading. The worship leader would declare what God had done in their past, and the people would respond with “His love endures forever.”
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1-3, NLT).
When we remember what God has done for us, our soul takes flight because gratitude takes root. And thanksgiving wells up in our heart.
Everything good in your past was a gift from God. And while we should not live in the past, we can rejoice in the good moments of our past. That is what the word “rejoice” means - to remember. To go back and re-enjoy the things God has done for you.
It is human nature to remember the pain and hurt in our past and to forget the God moments. This is why the Psalms are full of admonishment to remember. When we forget what God has done for us in the past, we lose faith that He is still working in our present and will continue to be at work in our future.
Every good gift comes from God. Every good thing that has ever happened to you started in the heart of God. Recognize that He is your source and remember all He has done for you. Rehearse those things regularly - and watch your soul soar.
Let’s Pray
Father, You are the source of every good gift in my life. Every good experience in my past began with You and was sent my way by You. You love me as Your child - for that is who I am. Help me recognize You as my source and remember all You have done for me. Forgive me when I forget Your goodness to me.
In the name of Jesus, who believes in me and blesses me, I make this prayer,
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Take a few moments to think about five times when God showed up big time for you. Remember those times and add the phrase, “His love endures forever.” Make this exercise a daily habit and your heart will soon become a grateful heart.
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© 2020 by Mary Southerland. All rights reserved.
Originally published Thursday, 26 November 2020.
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