Remembering the Past for Hope in the Present

“I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.” (Ps 77:11 AV)

This was uttered in a time of doubt.  The writer was overwhelmed to the point he could not see the LORD’s hand in his present circumstances.  So, his answer was to retreat into the past.  He knew it was hard to see what he did not know and what he might have doubted.  So, rather than look for evidence in the present, he chose to look at the past.  This remembrance of the past faithfulness of God is the evidence upon which he can rely for God’s faithfulness in the present.  This statement is a vow.  It is a commitment.  It is a promise to his soul that he will exercise his mental faculties to recall what the LORD has done for him in the past.  Note also it is not the recent past.  It is as far back as his origin.  He may not remember his conception, birth, or early childhood.  But he can recall the facts of them.  In other words, the writer promises his discouraged and overwhelmed heart that if he cannot find hope in the present, his past will speak volumes.  All he needs to do is to think upon it, and hope will return.

There is another word that strikes hope and interest.  Note here the word ‘surely’.  There is no doubt in the writer’s mind that once he exercises his memory, he will remember.  The word ‘surely’ is not limited to the depth of the vow.  It also relates to the faith that this vow is possible and probable.  I have had three concussions.  Memory is something I battle.  My siblings constantly throw out events from our childhood that I do not remember.  But memory is a funny thing.  The more they mention the details of a particular event something will eventually trigger my memory and I will remember it as well as my siblings.  In other words, if it is not caused physically, then forgetfulness can be overcome.  The point is, that we are not subject to a poor memory.  With a bit of work, memories can resurface.  I think that is what the writer is trying to express.  His situation was so overwhelming, that he had a hard time remembering the faithfulness of God.  He knows, as a fact of the word of God, that He is eternally faithful.  God never has left us nor will He ever leave us.  What he needs to remember is how the faithfulness of God worked out in his own life.

Journaling is helpful.  When the LORD brings to our memory His faithfulness, it is a good thing to write down what one remembers. Again, we can start with our birth.  The gift of life is an amazing thing.  No matter our earthly experiences, we will have all of eternity with the perfection of being and environment.  All the troubles we experience in our earthly pilgrimage will be forgotten outside of that which we have done for Christ.  No more pain, sorrow, or any other thing that offends.  It will all be gone.  If God never gave us life, we would never experience the perfection of eternity.  So, we can remember the fact of our birth.  I can remember the facts of three concussions and the fact God brought me through them all without any serious consequences.  I can remember coming through life-threatening situations like car accidents and the threat of gun violence.  God has brought men through much.  He has brought all of us through much.  Don’t let the seriousness of what you face blind you from what God has already done.  Work at remembering.  Listen to the recollections of others.  Go back to places, times, or your other senses and ask the Holy Spirit to rehearse the faithfulness of God to your heart.  We don’t have to suffer.  We choose to.  The answer is in remembering the faithfulness of God.