There are times in many a believer’s life when they have what is referred to as a mountain-top experience. Maybe it happens during a church service, or at a retreat/conference/event as loads of excitement generates, or through worship and prayer as hearts are set on fire. Where ever it occurs, it’s generally climactic and perspective shifts.
Whereas life may have been dull or painful before entering in to this moment, suddenly all is wonderful and beautiful. Anything is possible. The things of this world grow small and dim while the grandeur of God is close and all consuming.
In this experience our understanding of who God is expands and hearts are ready to live with bountiful feelings of peace, joy, and freedom. We’ve been given a glimpse into something beyond our ability to comprehend.
But then.
It doesn’t last.
Eventually, sometimes very quickly, the believer comes down from the mountain and everything shifts once again. What was once seen as conquerable is now impossible. What God revealed is no longer apparent. A moment comes and goes like a flash and our minds are quick to forget all the goodness we temporarily took in.
Our hearts need to see what our eyes become blind to.
How can we hold on to the goodness of God when we’ve descended from the heights and begun to walk the valleys again? How can we not lose hope when the winds howl and the rain pours?
We choose remembrance so we can know that we know that we know God is good, even when what we see tells us otherwise.
Like when someone we love has just been diagnosed with a serious illness, or a tragedy comes on all of a sudden, or a marriage crumbles, or a child makes choices which could harm themselves or others, or when a friendship fails. There are so many ways in which our present reality becomes an overwhelming threat to our hearts’ assuredness of God’s very real glory.
No matter what. God never changes.
Who he is doesn’t change. How he operates doesn’t change. His love never stops. His ways never cease to be good.
Choosing remembrance is choosing to recall the ways in which God showed his presence in times past. It’s choosing to reassure ourselves of the truths He’s spoken and revealed throughout history.
When our hearts are shaky and uncertain, choosing remembrance ushers in a sense of peace we can’t manufacture.
Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, ~ Psalm 105:5
You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. ~ Deuteronomy 8:18
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ~ Luke 22:19
Joshua chapter 4 records God’s command to his people to choose twelve stones, one for each tribe of Israel, as a stone of remembrance. They were to be a reminder to them and their children of how God stopped the waters so they could cross into the Jordan, a rather momentous occasion.
After decades of wandering in the desert and forgetting every good thing God had down for them, God knew their hearts would need a reminder again.
During their wandering, Moses spent much time with God on the mountain, receiving the commandments and other instructions. When he descended, he had not forgotten his mountain-top experience when he saw the golden calf and how the people turned their hearts away from God.
Moses remembered. He also remembered God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. He reminded God of what he remembered and God “relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing his people.”
God wants to hear from his children that not only do they remember, but they believe in his goodness to the point of reminding him what he already knows.
Because I tend to be a person who forgets this. And I’ve often been too afraid to ask God for anything, believing he didn’t really want to give it to me. I have wrestled to hold on to kingdom glimpses.
Even so, God is good and he does not change.
When we cannot see what we need to remember, we can ask the Spirit to show us. Then wait, watch, and listen.
When you see the goodness of God in a moment, and then you descend from the heights into the challenges around you, choose remembrance.
CULTIVATE: Do a study on remembrance in scripture. Consider keeping a journal to record moments of God’s goodness so that when you can not see them, you can remind yourself of what you’ve already known. (I have a purple notebook just for this purpose called “Kingdom Glimpses”.)
[tweetthis]When our hearts are shaky and uncertain, choosing remembrance ushers in a sense of peace we can’t manufacture.[/tweetthis]
Oh Jolene. So how can I relate to this post – right now!
I’ve felt and know that feeling that “All is wonderful and beautiful. Anything is possible.”
Though, at this exact very moment in time. So…So can I relate to this post in terms valley’s – I’m in a big one.
Yes. I do believe God is good. So hard for me though to understand!
I’m going to be flat out honest, I’m in a Big, Big, valley with NOT one, but many, many different circumstances beating me down!
Beating me bad! Seems like on ALL fronts and from every angle possible!
I do believe, but so much easier said than done for me. Lord please help me.
I hear you, Corie. I know that deep soul ache well. Standing with you as you cry out to God and hold on to hope. Here is a snipped from Psalm 40. I find it encouraging to read Psalms aloud and sometimes replace “I” and “me” with my name. I am praying for you today, Corie.
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is the man who makes
the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
Corie my heart aches for you! I too am in the valley and it seems that the enemy is throwing every single thing he can at me. The thing that is helping me to get through is to remember that God loves me and wants what’s best for me. He won’t leave me in the valley alone. He is there with me, keeping me safe and preparing me for greater.
Keep your eye on the Lord. He never fails. He never disappoints. He always comes through!
Lord I lift Corie to you! He feels pressed down from every angle. He needs you! Help him to remember that he is not defeated! Give him comfort and peace during this time of the storm. You are his great defender, his shelter and refuge. Hide him your loving arms as you guide him to victory. Amen!
One last word Corie. You are more than a conqueror. You are a mighty warrior and man of valor. As a child of God you have been given authority over the enemy and NOTHING SHALL BY ANY MEANS HARM YOU!
Thanks La Toya.
Your comment means so much to my heart. But so heard for me!
Tears are literally pouring from my eyes as I read your comment.
Blessings,
Corie