Listening to her talk, I was stunned. I had known this woman for years. God had poured out His blessings and worked miracles in her life time and again. Yet, here she was … enveloped in a cloud of fear, doubt, and unbelief.
The more I reminded her of God’s faithfulness and tried to bring her back to a place of trust, the further she sank into an emotional prison of her own making. She either could not or would not remember God’s mercy and grace in her life. She was experiencing what I call spiritual amnesia.
The Israelites had it too. God freed them from a life of slavery and abuse, promising them a new home flowing with milk and honey. In other words, filled with everything they would ever want or need. He rained down food from heaven, quenched their thirst with water from a rock, and kept them safe, healthy, and strong on the journey. His constant presence provided a cloud to shelter them from the sun and sliced through the darkness to light the way. After bringing them safely across the waters on dry ground, He gave them a bonus by letting those same waters devour the enemies that pursued them.
And yet they forgot … and they murmured and complained. The Bible says, They gave no thought to Your miracles; they did not remember Your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.
I’ve learned over the years that we can’t go forward by living in the past, but sometimes we need to take a peek backward and remember what God has done for us. You can’t drive a car by staring in the rearview mirror, but it’s there for a purpose—to see what’s behind you. An occasional glance at the milestones we have constructed along the way will build our faith and keep us focused on God’s continual guidance and faithfulness
Serving God doesn’t mean our life will be free of problems. What it does mean is God will be there with us and see us through. We can have peace in the midst of any storm. And the joy of the Lord is available to us no matter what life throws our way.
Don’t ever forget God’s goodness or allow spiritual amnesia to hold you captive. Think about His amazing love and celebrate all the things He has done for you—every blessing great and small.
(Photo courtesy of morguefile and kamuelaboy.)
(For more devotions, visit us at www.christiandevotions.us.)
Love the phraseology: ""spiritual amnesia""... so very true! And sadly, all too often we can get there ourselves. Thanks for the reminder!
How true and how easily forgotten. Thanks for the reminder.