In July, we revisited the quaint canals and cobbled streets of Bruges, Belgium. On the Sunday we went to a church, with a lively African congregation. In the service, people shared their blessings-and also their struggles, both braided together in everyday life.
Most of the songs we sang were unfamiliar, but then we sang ‘Faithful One, so unchanging’ by Robin Mark. The words struck a chord deep within me- a reminder of our faithful God who is there through the changing seasons of our lives.
David wrote:
“For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”
(Psalms 108:4 NIV)
God’s faithfulness is sky-high and utterly dependable. Yet often, His faithfulness is better seen by us in reverse
Often we don’t realise how far we have journeyed till we look back. It’s never a good idea to dwell in the past (especially if hurt, regret and other damaging emotions live there) but looking in life’s rear view mirror can be positive and beneficial too.
Whether we are traveling through green pastures, by still waters or through dark valleys, if we gaze in life’s rear view mirror long enough, we will see the goodness and love of our faithful Shepherd-God following us.
Many years ago I read this couplet and wrote it in my journal:
God gives and forgives
We get and forget
It’s so true. God forgives us and blesses us. But we get and forget.
As we live in an abundance of blessings, how is it possible to forget the God who gives us every breath?
Yet, we have poor memories. We forget God’s presence day by day. In times of trouble we forget how God has led us in the past. We develop spiritual amnesia.
We look at the storm and forget about our Anchor.
We focus on our problems and forget our powerful God.
We forget to connect with our unseen Shepherd, the Guardian of our souls.
Terror looms across the globe and we forget our King and Conqueror.
We don’t remember. We forget too easily.
Yet God remembers us, and is always faithful
‘But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.’
Blessings,
Ruth x
