I remember dates and years of events important to me, which fill each new year with grateful memories and happy anniversaries. “Do you remember what we were doing on this very day four years ago?” A delightful conversation follows, as we piece together our memories of the day. Or I may say to a friend, “I saw you for the very first time this very day one year ago. Do you remember?” Smiles and laughter dominate our conversation as we remind each other of the preciousness of our friendship, and are amazed to rediscover the insignificant details that occasioned us to form a close bond. Or in a more sober tone, I may say to Mother, “This time two years ago, we were going through this; it seemed so hopeless, but now look how utterly the Lord has turned this around for our good! Praise the Lord!”
Many forget the past over their focus on present and future, but when an hour of darkness comes, when nothing but blind faith in the unseen, when the present seems hopeless, and the future only more so, the memory of God’s unfailing work in the past and the understanding that God knew this time was coming and has been preparing you for it – oblivious though you were – will give you the bold faith to take that step and the unshakable joy to know that this will be yet another testimony of God’s goodness and mercy in your life.
I can only say this because I have found it to be true. When the storm rages in the blackness of night, and I cannot see the Lord for the storm, I know He has me right in the palm of His hand. He covers me with His feathers and under His wings do I trust. For when the storm ceases and the morning awakens, like a quiet sunrise after a hurricane in the night, I arise, safe, unharmed, to behold the destruction and marvel at how untouched I have been. Nay, but rather blessed by the abundance of rain, which is producing for me a harvest of a hundred-fold. The Lord has used the bitter trial to shower me with blessings beyond my understanding.
But will I remember? Or will the next storm, perhaps more violent than the first, invoke an even greater fear?
“Remember His marvelous works that He hath done; His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth..." (Psalm 105:5).
