A 3 Step Reminder to Remember

As another year comes to an end, it is important to remember the good that came from the year. Things that brought you where you are and will carry you through the year. Although, we may have experienced dark days, lonely days or painful days, we should just ponder on that for about a moment as it shall soon become a testimony that you will recall. Rather point out the good moments that are there, whether few or small, they are worthy of remembrance. We are going to go through 3 ways to exercise this ability and why it is so important.

1. Mediation

Thomas A. Tarrants studied the definition of meditation from sources including the bible. He started by referencing the Old Testament, relaying that ‘mediation’ was the translation of two Hebrew words. The first suggesting a “low pitch muttering sound” and the other means “to be taken up or absorbed with something”. Theologian J.I. Parker described it as the activity of calling to mind, thinking over and dwelling on the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God. Whilst one of the ways Peter Toon puts it across is as one who is on an inner journey to find the centre of one’s being. He adds that some receive it from a journey into their own soul and others receive it as a journey encountering God.

Considering all this, which way do you perceive meditation? On the whole, I see mediation as the art of repeatedly pondering and dwelling on anything until you are absorbed in it. Those in Christ meditate and those in the world also mediate. But one important part I have to ask you is what are you meditating on? What is constantly on your mind on repeat, so much so that it consumes you? Are you dwelling on the past, mistakes you made or pain you experienced or are you pondering on the good that happened, the near misses you encountered or the lessons that were learnt. This will determine your outlook on life.

Philippians 4:8 ~ “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

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Therefore, I say to you meditate on what is lovely, what is of good report and things that are worthy of praising God for. Put these things into your remembrance as we conclude the year and meditate on them all.

2. Reflection

Reflection from the eyes of an overcomer allows them to see the testimony in the trial. It releases your mind from grief to the endless possibilities that are in Christ. Joseph was a man in Genesis that experienced a lot of hardship. He was sold into slavery by his own brothers, they plotted to kill him in a pit and also went to prison on account of a false accusation. However, when he reflects on these things, he sees it from a positive lens.

Joseph said to his brothers in Genesis 50:20 “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”‭‭

Upon David’s reflection of the many near death experiences in his life. Saul attempted to kill him by multiple ambush attempts and even by throwing at spear at him. Saul was relentless with his pursuits because of the jealousy he had towards him. However, each time someone was sent to protect him. Here is how David reflects on this in Psalms 119:87.

“They almost made an end of me on earth, But I did not forsake Your precepts.”

In remembrance of his affliction, it was always overshadowed by his righteousness in Christ. The righteousness that is stated to be a gift in Romans 5:17. They both remember their trouble as a short segment of their life and remember the blessings as the biggest part of the narrative. Joseph takes the approach of seeing God as good and how others benefited from his affliction. David remembers his righteousness, of how he continued to follow God and not forsaking His precepts. Similar to job who remembers his innocence and purity in Christ after his afflictions (Job 33:9).

How can these examples benefit us you may ask. From the perspective of Joseph. If you have encountered great trouble from what others have done to you; wrongly accused you, speak bad about you, received unwarranted heartbreak or lost your job or money with no rightful explanation. See it from Joseph’s perspective; how there are still areas you can see Gods protection and redirection, including how others will be able to learn from what you went through or be uplifted from your story as they too can relate. And from David’s perspective; showing how bad things happened for various reasons, but regardless he sees the positives in his efforts and looking unto the hope and strength that God gives. It may be losing a relative after praying endlessly for them or being by their side, or it may be experiencing divorce even if you didn’t do anything morally wrong, you can stand on the fact that you remained pure and focused on God. Like with David in the time of Goliath and to Saul’s reign as king.

It is easier to have a case before God if you yourself didn’t slip and speak or do what is evil. Job said, even in though calamity that befell him, he shall not utter what is evil, in case God counts him with the wicked.

There’s a difference between pride and what is truth. Pride is exalting yourself above who you are. It is not pride to state what you actually did, as long as you as very sure. If you have 5 degrees, stating you have them in your CV is not proud, but mentioning it to an another with 4 degrees to shows you are better is a form of pride. It about your heart. Speak with the Lord in the purity of your heart. Be sincere and purposefully when mentioning what you have done to the Lord. Being able to boast in these things will block the words of the devil that try to penetrate and blame you and remind you of your downfalls. It counteracts his words because Christ is giving you the boldness to confess what is good to be true in your life.

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Therefore I say, reflect on the what happened in your life, both good and bad. However, celebrate the good over the bad. Reflect on how He delivered you countless times, how He kept you blameless and preserved you through it all for a purpose.

3. Consolidation

Now it’s time to bring this all together, in agreement. In all things, I say, give the all glory unto God. Because He is to be glorified through it all. If we believe that Christ is alive in us, in conjunction with Galatians 2:20 that says “It is no longer I that lives but Christ that lives in me”. If you believe it is His life operating through you, then believe that what is His, He was manage and see through. So even If you can’t say you were innocent through your afflictions, then cry out to the Lord and ask Him to live through you. Your struggles, they are now His struggles. That sin and that weakness, envision Jesus carrying those on the cross with Him and dying for that specific thing. Because He truly shed His own blood for the sins of yesterday and tomorrow. Don’t let that thing haunt you or keep you stagnant. Instead look upon the mercies of God. What broke your heart and sent you to tears also touched God Himself. But because He is God, He has is able to turn that frown to a smile and multiple blessings and joy in the year to come.

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭50‬ ‭‬‬~ “This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.”

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Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ~ “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

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Therefore, pray you may see things the way He sees them, that you may act in the way He would act. Allow Him to have His expression through you. Remain hopeful that God is writing your story.

Declarations

Meditate and declare these scriptures until you see change in your story.

Psalms 119:107 ~ “I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.”

Psalms 119:15 ~ “I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways.”

Psalms 119:145 ~ “I cry out with my whole heart; Hear me, O Lord! I will keep Your statutes.”

Psalms 119:17 ~ “Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.”