‘Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with [God]…’ Genesis 35:14 NKJV

When you think about God’s faithfulness to you it causes hope to rise in your soul. It enables you to face the future with confidence and say, ‘He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who… keep His commands.’ (Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV) Looking back and remembering is a Scriptural principle that works. ‘Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with [God]’; ‘Joshua set up twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan…’ (Joshua 4:9 NIV); ‘Samuel took a stone… set it up… and called [it]… Ebenezer, saying, ‘…“thus far the Lord has helped us.”’ (1 Samuel 7:12 NKJV) The Bible says, ‘No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God… will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but… will also provide the way out…’ (1 Corinthians 10:13 NRS) Going back through the Bible and reading the ups and downs of God’s people and how He consistently came through for them, gives you fresh eyes to see your own situation and the bigger picture. In Psalm 22:2 NCV, David starts out saying, ‘God… I call to You… but You do not answer.’ But as soon as he starts remembering God’s faithfulness he does a 180-degree turn around and says, ‘Our ancestors trusted You… and You saved them. They called to You for help and… were not disappointed.’ (Psalm 22:4–5 NCV) When you’re spiritually down, stop thinking about yourself and your disappointment and begin to focus on God. ‘…Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave…’ (1 Kings 8:56 NIV) He’s still the same; He hasn’t changed.

SoulFood: Acts 22–23, Luke 9:57–62, Ps 78:1–8, Pro 16:23–24

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©