Remember to Restore

Psalm 143:1–6 (CSB)

1 Lord, hear my prayer. In your faithfulness listen to my plea, and in your righteousness answer me.

2 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous in your sight.

3 For the enemy has pursued me, crushing me to the ground, making me live in darkness like those long dead.

4 My spirit is weak within me; my heart is overcome with dismay.

5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all you have done; I reflect on the work of your hands.

6 I spread out my hands to you; I am like parched land before you. Selah

Tomorrow, we will celebrate Memorial Day. Many use this weekend to cookout, get away, and few use it to not go to church. We have this freedom because of the sacrifice of many who payed the ultimate price. Please do not thank a veteran for their service (we have a day for us; Veteran’s Day). Memorial Day is reserved for those who payed the ultimate price for our freedom. They gave their life for us. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” We honor those who paid the ultimate price. Remember those who sacrificed their lives so that we can miss church, cookout, spend time at the lake, etc. We are here because we choose to honor the greatest sacrifice (Jesus laying His life for our freedom). I believe that the proper thing to do is to be in His House to honor Him.

1. Remember the wonders of God

Those who forget the past fall into thanklessness

Those who forget take things for granted

Those who forget the goodness of God will think they can do without God

Those who forget the wonders of God are filled with pride

Pride blind you; it makes you think your skills or abilities did it for you

Psalm 105:5 (NIV84)

5 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

Memorials are not only to remember the good

Memorials should remind us and teach us

Those who forget and didn’t learn from history are bound to repeat it

2. Meditate on the works of God

Meditate: to plan or project in the mind; think deeply or carefully about something

As a man thinks in his heart so is he

We must change the way we think

Philippians 4:8 (NIV84)

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Empty your mind of negativity

Your mind is a powerful magnet

Whatever you focus your thoughts on will eventually come to pass

There was a man that was stuck in a freezer box; in fear and desperation, he started to write down his final thoughts. A few hours later, when he was found those that rescued him couldn’t understand why he died because the freezer wasn’t working. The only explanation is that this man talked himself to death

The mind is a powerful magnet; that is why Paul tells us how to think

Psalm 77:10–12 NIV84

10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High.” 11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 12 I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.

The more you meditate on His works the more miracles you will experience

3. Reflect on the work of His hands

Remember that our God is creator of all things

Reflect: to express a thought or opinion; to make manifest or apparent

Psalm 19:1 NIV84

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Look at creation and you will know God

Reflect on His works and you will get a glimpse of His power

I see His power in creation

I see His power in childbirth

I see His power in the rain

I see His power in the ocean

He told the waves, “this far and no further can you go”

Reflect on His works and you will see that nothing is impossible with God

Reflecting on His works will give us hopeful memory

He is the same yesterday, today, and forever

4. Spread your hands in expectation

A child spreads his/her hands to the parents with a complete expectation that they will carry him/her

God will never leave you nor forsake you

God is always for you

God is attentive to your prayers

God never takes a day off

Ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened

You have not because you don’t ask

Ask according to His will and it will be done

Spread your hands and expect a miracle

5. Those that thirst will be filled

Parched: dried out with heat, extremely thirsty

Life will put you in the oven

Trials will dry you up

Being away from the house of God will dry you up

Those that hunger and thirst for righteousness will be blessed

God is not stingy

He wants to fill you with blessing

He wants to pour out a blessing that will overflow

Those that drink from Him will never thirst again

Remember that He is God

The best is still in front of you

God is pouring out of His Spirit to His children

Those that are thirsty will drink and have their fill

Time for restoration is here

Remember that God is able

He is going to bless you double for you trouble

He is aware of what the haters are saying against you

He is aware of what the enemies are plotting against you

He is aware of the pain others have caused you

He is saying, “Vengeance is mine”

Be still and see me work

He moved you to the front of the line

Restoration is now

Expect your miracle because it is time to receive

Remember the great works that He performed

He made the Red Sea stand at attention

He sent the plagues against Egypt

He defended His children

Remember His works and expect your miracle