God could literally part the Red Sea for you but very quickly the mood can shift from singing God’s praises to forgetting His miraculous works.
When Charlie Wilson went to bed on June 12, 2008, his life was pretty good. He was a successful financial manager in the UK and had a wonderful family. He took good care of his wife and two daughters and had enjoyed twenty years of marriage. But when he woke up the next morning something wasn’t right. The room was spinning and he quickly ended up in the hospital after suffering a serious stroke. When he woke up he remembered nothing of his 45 years of life. When his wife and two daughters came into his hospital room, he had no idea who these “strangers” were. The weeks, months and years ahead were quite a challenge, trying to reconnect with his loved ones, learn from scratch how to make a living and start all over.
No one wants to experience being “forgotten.”
Have you ever heard some friends talking about how much fun they had only to realize no one bothered to call and invite you along? When you brought it up everyone felt bad but admitted they just forgot to call and invite you.
Forgotten birthdays, forgotten mother’s days and father’s days, forgotten anniversaries… never turn out well.
In Psalm 106, God addresses the issue of “forgetfulness” with the children of Israel. He had done some incredible things to guide, protect and provide for them. He literally parted the Red Sea so they could escape their enemies and flooded the path as soon as they crossed to destroy the enemies who were pursuing them. He had done many miraculous works to take care of them and defeat those who were against them.
In two verses the mood shifts from singing His praises (in verse 12) to forgetting His miraculous works (in verse 13).
How’s that even possible? But wait… you and I have done this too and if we don’t stop to correct the issue in our own life we are going to experience a downward spiral in many ways.
If you read Psalm 106:12-48 you will notice the effects of the downward spiral of forgetting God’s goodness.
Here is how forgetting God’s goodness affected them.
- They stopped waiting for God’s counsel and advice. Verse 13
- They struggled with lust and desires for things outside of God’s presence. Verse 14
- They struggled with envy. Verse 16
- They traded worship for God for worshiping other material things. Verse 20
- They despised the place God provided for them. Verse 24
- They became complainers. Verse 25
- They stopped listening to God’s voice. Verse 25
- They began living among the heathen. Verse 35
- They focused on their own work instead of God’s work. Verse 39
- They invented their own way. Verse 39
It’s time to take seriously how we’ve benefitted from God’s blessings, His protection and His provision in our lives. Sit quietly and take some time today to write a list of the ways God has “shown up” in your life and done great things. Don’t let those things go to waste… use them for His glory. Remember them often and share them often with others. It will show God that you really do appreciate what He has done and it will encourage and inspire others to trust Him more!
You might know how awful it feels to tell a teacher you forgot an assignment, or tell your mom you forgot to buy her a Mother’s Day card, or tell a friend you forgot their birthday… but trust me… it’s even more serious to move forward in life forgetting the ways God has cared for you!
How has God been at work in your life. Post a comment or share your thoughts with others on this topic. Call us and share your thought s or topics you’d like to see covered at 423-381-0018.
Ken Turner
Learn more at https://kenturnerministries.org/walking-with-god/
Email me at kenturner@highimpactteens.org
