REMEMBER
Clarissa Hernandez
Today's Scripture: “When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord...” Jonah 2:7, ESV
Theme: When we don’t know what to pray, look to God and remember His faithfulness.
IN THE BELLY OF A FISH
Jonah was thrown into the sea, swallowed by a giant fish, and was literally and figuratively in a dark and lonely place. While most of us won’t end up in the belly of a fish, we all have been or will be in a circumstance where we feel the same way Jonah did. We face consequences of disobeying God, endure physical and emotional trauma, find ourselves in a situation that we simply cannot reason our way out of, or may face a grim health prognosis. It is in those times that we have a choice: be frustrated, fearful, and try to sort out solutions on our own, or turn to the Lord. In the belly of that fish, Jonah remembered the Lord.
REMEMBERING THE EXODUS
As I was reading through the Bible one year, I noticed that the account of God bringing His people out of slavery in Egypt, across the Red Sea, and into the Promised Land was written in full or in part many times throughout the Bible. This retelling served as a constant reminder of what God had brought His people through, the promises He already fulfilled, and the assurances that they could count on for the future.
RECOUNT THE BLESSINGS
The recounting of God’s provision for the Israelites occurs so many times throughout the Bible, it motivated me to write a personalized story of God’s faithfulness in my family. I wrote one sentence about each of the times that God had faithfully provided for me. These are just a few simplified examples: “God provided an all-expense paid week in Mexico and seven free days of paid time off so that we could have a honeymoon.” “God orchestrated my husband’s name to be drawn from a hat so he could come home from his deployment in Iraq the night before Christmas.” “God gave me the gift of sleep when things were so difficult with our son that I didn’t think I would ever sleep again.” “God brought me a friend when I was in the depths of loneliness.” “God sent a stranger to minister to us by giving us hope when the challenge we were facing seemed too difficult.” When I am immersed in a trial, it can be hard to recall what the Lord has done for me in the past, so this written account of His goodness helps me remember.
SHIFT YOUR FOCUS
When I feel overwhelmed by my current circumstances and my trust in God’s sovereignty wavers a bit, I start from the beginning of this list I have now memorized and remind myself of God’s continual provision. As the years go by, I continue to add things to that list. I am confident that one day the list of the many ways I have seen God work in my life will be too long and my memory skills too weak to recount them all.
Shifting our focus from the thing that seems impossible to the One who has proven He reigns over all things brings hope, peace, and strength to wait for the Lord to carry us through.
Make it Personal: Are you currently in a “belly of a fish” situation? Do you find yourself looking downward at the challenges you are facing or looking within to try and sort out your own solutions? Shift your focus to the Lord. Remember what He has already done for you and find your hope in Him. No matter what your circumstances or your life story, there are at least a few things God has already done for you: God sent His Son to die on the cross for your sins; He raised Him to life; and He provided a way for you to be reconciled with Himself.
Pray: Dear God, thank You for the countless blessings You have given me. I ask that You reveal and remind me of the times You have carried me. When my troubles feel overwhelming and when I am struggling to fully trust Your plan and purpose, help me to remember what You have already brought me through. Amen.
Read: Psalm 34:4, 2 Chronicles 20:1-7, Joshua 24:1–13, Nehemiah 9:6–25
Weekly Memory Verse: “When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.” Jonah 2:7, ESV