“They did not remember His power
– the day He redeemed them from the oppressor.”
Psalm 78:42
The Israelites didn’t remember God’s power. The miraculous signs in Egypt, the wonders of the Red Sea and the Jordan River opening up for them, and so many other marvelous deliverances He got them through. They had a short memory span.
The disciples had this, too, when they were in a boat with Jesus. (Mark 4:35-41) A storm whipped up and raged, powerful waves washing over the boat. The boat was filling up, and it seemed they would be doomed to the sea. And where was Jesus? Asleep on a pillow.
They cried out, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” They didn’t see how safe they were with Jesus in the boat. Did they not remember all the miraculous healing they saw Jesus perform, even the casting out of evil spirits? Couldn’t that same Jesus rescue them?
When Jesus got up, He rebuked the wind and waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Immediately they calmed.
Jesus asked, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
They were afraid before, and now they were still shocked and terrified. You mean even the winds and waves obey Him? They did not know Jesus well enough yet, they forgot how much His power was displayed in His miracles, and they underestimated that this power was available also for them.
Both the Israelites and then the disciples failed to remember God’s great mercies in the past.
A short memory span. I have that, too. I focus on the past and present storms in life and blind myself to see and remember all God’s past mercies towards me. So easily I forget God’s power shown to me in the past, His Almighty ability to rescue me from the deepest pit, His watchful care over every detail of my life.
I underestimate Jesus and His power for me, even though He’s given me proof of it again and again.
I forget about present displays of God’s power, too. Displays that should remind me how faithful and powerful He really is. In the cold winter months, when because of chronic illness, I can’t go out into nature, I miss all God’s creation. I tend to sometimes get downhearted. But as I sit here and look out the window, I see the sun’s power melting rooftops of snow even when it’s still below freezing. God faithfully sent that sun and the power behind it. When I see bunny tracks on the snow, I need to remember that it’s God who gave His creature a warm enough coat to survive the winter. When the snow comes down, I need to remember God’s special grace, how He has the power to wash me whiter than the snow. I need to remember that God’s power is displayed in His creation, including us, even when we don’t see it or remember it.
Isn’t God amazing? He just keeps on giving and giving and giving. Even when we don’t receive or give in return. When the Israelites turned their hearts back to Him and asked for His help, He again and again showered them with His long-suffering patience and powerful mercy and grace. When the disciples were afraid, He didn’t hold that against them, but He again showed love and mercy. And when I time after time doubt His power and faithfulness, He is so forgiving, loving, and caring.
I know it’s not always easy, especially when storms toss us to and fro and blindside our memory, but let’s try to help each other remember that the same power God showed in the past and faithfully displays each day of life on this earth certainly has the power to get us through whatever storms trouble our lives.
“Who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:5-7
Praying Jesus’ ever-faithful power
will fill our hearts and our lives
and give us courage to go on!
Linking up with:
Holley – Coffee For Your Heart
Jennifer – Tell His Story
Kelly – Cheerleaders of Faith
Bonnie – Faith Barista’s Beloved Brews
Freed to Fly 
Perfect timing, Trudy. Oh, how quickly doubt and fear can overtake me. I find myself wavering this morning, and I read this and remember. Greater is HE who is in me, Who was, and is, and is to come!! God bless You and thank you! I long for the flowers and sounds of spring too friend! Soon…soon!
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Yes, Michelle! Greater is HE who is in you! I’m so glad your heart is strengthened. It’s such a struggle to let go of the doubt and fear, isn’t it? I’m so grateful Jesus’ love is so unconditional! Spring is always my favorite season – all the new life sprouting up again. Yes, soon… 🙂 May Jesus’ power fill you with joy and peace! 💗
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“I underestimate Jesus and His power for me, even though He’s given me proof of it again and again.” Oh yes, me too! How easily we get lost in the problems and forget the solution. Yet we only need to ask for help and it is ours. Nothing is too difficult for Him. There is grace to cover everything we may encounter and bring us through each test and trial with greater resilience than before.
Thank you for this timely reminder, Trudy, and for the stirring song to close with! A golden oldie which speaks volumes. Let’s trust in that wonder-working power together. We are saved to live a life surrendered to Him, worries and all. Bless you, dear friend. xox 🙂
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How true that we so easily get lost in the problems and forget the solution. I read something recently about how when it’s dark, we turn on the light switch and have no doubt there will be light. But when our souls are tossed about and in darkness, we sometimes forget to tap into God’s power, trusting He will give us light in our situation. How I want my trust to grow so I’ll tap into His power quicker! Yes, Joy, we will encourage each other to trust in that wonder-working power together! God bless you with His power! 💗
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Thanks for this gentle reminder. It is important for us to remember what God has done. And it is important for us to cling to the promises of what he will continue to do!
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Thank you for stopping by, Deanna. Yes, may we together cling to the promises and remember what He has done! Blessings to you! 💗
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Hi Trudy! Your post really hit the nail on the head for me. How many times has God shown me that he has all my troubles and joys in the palm of his hand? But still I doubt he can sort out the messes I make, both real and imagined.
Sometimes when I pour my heart out, I hear him say “Don’t I always help you?” and I have to agree. Yes Lord, you do. But, but but… How patient he is with such a person with the memory of a goldfish!
May I always believe and celebrate his power and love in my life, both the good and bad times.
Wednesday blessings,
Ceil
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You are so not alone in this, Ceil. I, too, hear Him gently whispering, “Haven’t I always helped you in the past?” And yes, I know about that “but, but, but…” His patience with us is beyond understanding, isn’t it? May we keep encouraging each other to “believe and celebrate His power and love” in our lives no matter what! Blessings to you, too! I hope your leg is healing! 💗
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I love this trudi- Thank you for reminding me- I needed to be-I’m so easily discouraged and looking at the waves all the time- instead of His lovely face!!?!!- I love the picture too!! Beautiful!! Thank you!
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Thank you Susie. I am so prone to look at the waves, too. An old song was just going through my heart this morning – not sure I have the exact words, but something like:
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will go strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”
The pic was taken a couple of years ago when we took a trip to the Black Hills. Beautiful scenery there! Blessings to you, Susie! 💗
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Trudy, I’m going to echo the sentiment “this couldn’t have come at a better time!” 🙂
Some growing pains going on with my son, spiritually and physically… Trying to determine what to do to help him succeed and it’s hard to watch him struggle and fail at things…
The verse in Jeremiah, He was singing that this morning! 🙂 That was the first thing that hit me… some sort of confirmation. God is holding him in the palm of His hand and I guess as a mama I need to step aside and let the HS do His duty right? 🙂
Such a blessing to read this morning!
(((HUGS)))
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I’m so grateful you were blessed, Krista. It’s so hard to see our kids struggle, We always want to “fix” things. But as you said we need to “let the HS do His duty.” 🙂 Even though my kids are grown, I still worry. And sometimes I have to tell myself to say less and pray more. What a blessing that your son was singing a verse this morning! 🙂 So was he singing Jeremiah 29:11? That’s a verse I often have to remind myself of! Hugs back! May God give you daily remembrance that He is holding you and your son in the palm of His hand! 💗
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Hi Trudy,
Yes, it’s so easy to forget what God has shown us and done for us in the past. But I love the stories you mentioned that are in the Bible for a reason – to help us not to forget and to show us how powerful and amazing God really is! Lovely post, as always!
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Thank you, Valerie. Yes, it’s so easy to forget, but God is so patient with us, isn’t He? May our days blossom with memories of His love and faithfulness! 💗
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Jesus does have the power to get us through. This is a powerful reminder of the love of Christ. He will always be enough. Thank you Trudy!
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Yes, His grace and love will always be sufficient to get us through anything. He has said , “In the world you will have troubles, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world!” Blessings to you, Kelly! 💗
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Trudy,
Yes, I can relate…to practice remembering His great power and faithfulness in the past as a scaffold to hold onto in the present…Thank you, and I pray God continues to bless you with good memories of His great love for you…blessings to you, dear one 🙂
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Thank you, Dolly. I’m glad you can relate. I pray God continues to bless you, too, with memories of His faithful love! 💗
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