“Forget not all His benefits.”
{Psalm 103:2}
It is a delightful and profitable occupation to mark the hand of God in the lives of ancient saints, and to observe His goodness in delivering them, His mercy in pardoning them, and His faithfulness in keeping His covenant with them. But would it not be even more interesting and profitable for us to remark the hand of God in our own lives? Ought we not to look upon our own history as being at least as full of God, as full of His goodness and of His truth, as much a proof of His faithfulness and veracity, as the lives of any of the saints who have gone before?
We do our Lord an injustice when we suppose that He wrought all His mighty acts, and showed Himself strong for those in the early time, but doth not perform wonders or lay bare His arm for the saints who are now upon the earth.
Let us review our own lives. Surely in these we may discover some happy incidents, refreshing to ourselves and glorifying to our God. Have you had no deliverances? Have you passed through no rivers, supported by the divine presence? Have you walked through no fires unharmed? Have you had no manifestations? Have you had no choice favors? The God who gave Solomon the desire of his heart, hath He never listened to you and answered your requests? That God of lavish bounty of whom David sang, “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things,” hath He never satiated you with fatness? Have you never been made to lie down in green pastures? Have you never been led by the still waters?
Surely the goodness of God has been the same to us as to the saints of old. Let us, then, weave His mercies into a song. Let us take the pure gold of thankfulness, and the jewels of praise and make them into another crown for the head of Jesus. Let our souls give forth music as sweet and as exhilarating as came from David’s harp, while we praise the Lord whose mercy endureth forever.
{C.H. Spurgeon in Morning & Evening | July 9, morning}
I think my favorite devotional is Charles H. Spurgeon’s Morning & Evening. He takes one verse and treats it as a precious diamond, examining every little facet to make the often overlooked parts appreciated, which, in turn makes the diamond even more beautiful as a whole.
“Forget not all His benefits.” That’s a command.
Lately I’ve allowed myself to be too busy to recount God’s faithfulness. What a sorry thing to put on the back burner. I can say from experience that listing out the little and big ways God has shown you grace really does bring you more joy. But the beautiful thing is this: though I have not been faithful to thank God for the countless gifts He’s blessed me with, He’s still continued to shower me with them.
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful—for He cannot deny Himself.” {2 Timothy 2:13}
When I take the time to write down how I’ve seen God at work in my life, I’m forgetting not. God becomes bigger in my eyes. It’s like a collection of trophies of thousands of ways He’s proved His love for me though I am so undeserving. And looking back at these only makes me trust Him more.
So here’s to a renewed commitment for writing down His love-gifts. Perhaps you will join me?
Sarah Caroline 