“Go ahead and give God thanks for all the glorious things he has done! Go ahead and worship him! Tell everyone about his wonders! Let’s sing his praises!” (Psalm 105:1 TPT).
We can be surprisingly forgetful about God’s goodness.
A problem appears and suddenly it takes up our whole field of vision. Yesterday’s provision fades. Last year’s answered prayer feels distant. The strength God gave us during another difficult season no longer seems relevant to what we are facing now.
The writers of Scripture repeatedly tell God’s people to remember.
Psalm 105 does exactly that. The psalm goes on to recount what God had done throughout generations. Remembering his works gave God’s people reasons to praise him in the present.
Remembering is part of faith.
It does not mean pretending everything in our lives has turned out well. Some prayers remain unanswered. Some losses leave a permanent space. Some circumstances are still difficult.
But remembering keeps today’s trouble from becoming the whole story.
We can look back and say, “God met me there.” “God gave me strength.” “God provided a person at just the right time.” “God forgave me.” “God carried me when I did not think I could keep going.”
Then Psalm 105 takes remembering one step further: “Tell everyone about his wonders!”
Speaking about God’s goodness does not require a spectacular story. Often the quiet evidence of God’s work is just as powerful—the peace he gave when you expected panic, the courage to make a difficult decision, the friend who stood beside you, or the strength to get out of bed and face another day.
When we tell those stories, we remind ourselves as much as we encourage others.
Remembering what God has done in the past gives us courage to trust him in the present.
Take a moment today and deliberately look backward. Name one way God has been good to you. Then consider whether someone else needs to hear that story too.
For yourself: What past act of God’s goodness do you need to remember today?
For another: Who could be encouraged by hearing how God has helped you?
Forgiveness: Where have you allowed present problems to make you forget God’s past faithfulness?
Gratitude: What is one specific thing God has done for which you can thank him today?
Bring those reflections to God.
Pray
Lord God, forgive me for how quickly I forget your goodness. When problems fill my thoughts, remind me of the ways you have met me before. Bring to mind your provision, your protection, your forgiveness, and the strength you have given me in difficult times. Thank you for the quiet wonders I may have overlooked. Give me wisdom and courage to speak naturally about your goodness so someone else can be encouraged too. May remembering what you have done strengthen my trust in who you are today. Amen.
