Looking Back and Moving Forward
Thrust: In order to continually move forward in trying circumstances, believers can look back and remember God’s act and promises, and approach every moment with praise and thanksgiving.
--
Forgetfulness: It doesn’t take special effort; it’s our gravitational pull.
I. GOD REMEMBERS
We are limited by the language: God remembering sounds illogical, because it is impossible for God to forget in the first place.
‘Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!’ (Isaiah 49:14-15)
A. To Act On Your Behalf
The word "Remember" is used of God acting on His promises.
Examples:
- In Genesis 19:29 – God remembered Abraham
- In Genesis 30:22 – God remembered Rachel
- In Exodus 2:24 – God remembered His covenant
- In Genesis 8:1 – Noah
- In Genesis 21:1 – Sarah
- In Genesis 37, 40, 41, 45 – Joseph
- In Samuel 1:19, 29 – Hannah
- In Judges 16:28 – Samson
- In Jeremiah 15 & 38 – Jeremiah
- In Luke 23:42-43 – the thief on the Cross
B. To Keep His Promises
A promise is a covenant or declaration that one will do exactly what they say or something will happen just as pledged.
Every promise of God is not flippant, not casual, rock solid, and unequivocal.
God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19)
--
II. WE REMEMBER
Psychologists tell us that most people have a tendency to remember the bad and forget the good.
“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”. (Psalms 103:2)
A. To Praise Him
- Praise dissipates worry and dilutes concern and fear.
- Praise tarnishes sadness and magnifies goodness, especially the goodness of our God.
- Praise is one of the languages of faith.
- Praise capitalises on who truly matters. It focuses on the Lord!
- Praise is the answer, praise is often the solution.
- Praise brings us so much closer to God.
- Praise is key!
- We cannot walk with God without walking in praise
- We cannot walk in love without walking in praise
- We cannot experience God without experiencing praise
B. To Thank Him
Thank God always and consistently.
- Thanksgiving pleases God (Psa. 69:30,31)
- Thanksgiving is a command from the Scripture to give thanks to God (Psa. 100:4)
- Jesus set an example – He thanked God regularly
- The early Christians thanked God regularly as well (Acts 2).
- Thanksgiving is a vital part of our prayer life.