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Remember

Psalms 106-107

It may come as a shock to you but my course of study in college was theatre.  My degree is actually a BFA in Theatre.  You know, there really isn’t a big demand for people with theatre degrees in the job market these days; but I digress.  I bring that up because while reading today I was reminded of one of my first acting classes.  All class members were expected to keep a journal in which we were to write our daily observations of the people around us.  Part of our grade depended on keeping this journal which we had to turn in periodically for verification that we were indeed keeping said journal.  We were encouraged to go sit in the park, or some other such public place, and watch people.  We were then to write our observations down in the journal.  This was intended to give us insight into the behavior and motivations of others from which we could draw upon when developing a given character.

Journaling is intended to do that.  It allows you to write down your thoughts and observations so they will be available to you at a later date.  It can be quite interesting to go back and read those entries as it reminds you of the road you have traveled.  You see we can get so very wrapped up in the here and now that we lose sight of where we were and possibly where we intended to go.  Reading those entries can remind you of the good times and the bad.  They can also remind you that no matter what struggles you faced in the past, you survived; you made it through.  They can remind you of who you are and where you are going.

The two Psalms we read today have a common theme.  The people of whom these Psalms speak repeatedly rebelled against the words of God and spurned His counsel.  In turn God allowed hardship to overtake them.  This was discipline intended to return them to right relationship; which of course it did.  Back and forth, over and over again, the people of God rebelled and repented, rebelled and repented.  These Psalms are a review of Israel’s past.  They are a reminder of God’s grace and the consequences of rebellion.  These Psalms are like a set of journal entries; intended to remind the people of Israel of their need to be faithful to God and more importantly of God’s righteousness and grace.

For example:

Psalm 107:4-9

“Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to a city to dwell in;
hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way
till they reached a city to dwell in.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”

I wonder what a journal of our spiritual journey, started on that day we first accepted Christ, would show you and me.  I know I have wandered astray only to cry out to God in my distress.  God has always been faithful to forgive me, strengthen me, and lead me back to Him.  Were I to read such a journal, I would discover that there were times when I was more obedient than others and, strangely enough, the days when I was most happy coincided with the days I was most obedient.  I would also see the countless times God called me, disciplined me, and saved me.  I would be reminded of His activity in my life and I would be strengthened by such knowledge.

I don’t journal.  I’ve never been good at that kind of thing.  Of course I was never good about a daily discipline of reading my Bible either and look at me now.  One thing we should be doing, however, is keeping a prayer journal.  It can serve the same purpose but is far more interactive and rewarding.  Prayer is under exercised in the modern American Christian life.  When I tell my brothers and sisters in Christ I will pray for them I should keep that promise.  To do so adequately requires some kind of organization.  I recommend a prayer journal that allows you to write down the prayers along with names, dates, and the specific requests.  I’d also keep a place to write God’s response.

Prayer journaling should be a regular activity in the life of a Christian man.  The reasons for doing so include those I’ve mentioned above as far as reviewing what God has done in your life, but they also include the fact that God tells us to pray.  He tells us that we should pray for others.  Jesus loved us enough to die on the cross.  Because Jesus loves us we should love others; He said so.  Praying for others is one of the most effective expressions of love for others.

Whether you start journaling or not, I’d like to suggest to you that you take some time every now and again to review what God has done in your life and the life of others.  Without a journal you will forget more than you remember but remembering is important and some is better than none.  Remember the times you wandered through the desert wastes, hungry and thirsty.  Remember the times you cried out to God for deliverance, and remember the deliverance, for He satisfies the longing soul and the hungry soul He fills with good things!

Have a soul satiating day!

Your brother and servant in Christ,

Bill

Dying to self, living to serve!

P.S. Happy 4th of July!!!