Think of God's Goodness: One of the best ways to strengthen your faith is to stroll down memory lane
This devotion is written by Dianna Hobbs, founder of Empowering Everyday Women Online Magazine. This post is used by permission from her “Your Daily Cup of Inspiration” blog.
The other day while in the kitchen, my eldest daughter, Kyla, asked if she could taste the smoothie I’d made.
“Sure,” I said.
“Is it good?” she asked.
“Well, it’s healthy,” I replied.
Undeterred by my less than enthusiastic response, Kyla sampled the green drink I make every day. Shortly after she sipped it, her face confirmed that she didn’t think it was very tasty.
“Yeah, that’s healthy, but it’s not very good,” she frowned then chuckled.
Told her so.
Just in case you’re wondering, my smoothie contains the following ingredients: an avocado, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, hemp hearts, chia seeds, whole flax seeds, a tablespoon of natural peanut butter, unsweetened coconut milk, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, stevia, vanilla flavoring, and ice.
It’s not nasty, but it isn’t delicious either. It’s just that the flavor of the greens is so overpowering, my nutritious smoothie honestly tastes like grass – something I’ve gotten used to, since I drink it daily.
Well, after being underwhelmed by my liquid lunch, Kyla began talking about how lots of healthy foods, though good for us, don’t taste good to us. While there are some options that are both yummy and healthy, and there are some people that genuinely enjoy the taste of standard health foods, this often isn’t the case. A lot of the wholesome foods we consume aren’t nearly as savory and pleasing to us as the sugary, salty, greasy, processed foods that tempt our taste buds. With all those temptations lurking around every corner, we must be intentional about our food choices if we want to eat what is best for us rather than what tastes best to us.
Decisions, decisions. Life is all about choices, both naturally and spiritually.
In Joshua 24, Joshua called the people of Israel together, leaders and all, and he challenged them to make a spiritual choice.
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,” he said (v. 15). Would they serve the true and living God or the false idols their ancestors worshiped? Would they be loyal to the Lord, or would they pursue selfish desires and do what felt good and right to their flesh?
Joshua made a firm declaration that day: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
He wasn’t concerned with worldly enticements and temptations. He had made a decision to commit his life to God. Following Joshua’s lead, the Israelites that had gathered in Shechem that day also made a covenant to serve God only. And Joshua set up a stone memorial as a witness to that agreement (v. 26).
Though the abandonment of idol worship meant giving up long held family customs and practices that the Israelites grew up embracing, enjoying, believing in, and passing down through generations, they were willing to make the sacrifice.
Here is what led to that decision.
Earlier in this chapter, Joshua strolled down memory lane and recounted some of the miraculous things God did on Israel’s behalf. He reflected on the many battles God fought and won for them. By the time Joshua finished talking about the goodness of the Lord and His manifold mercies, the Israelites couldn’t imagine walking away.
They said – and I’m paraphrasing – God has been too good for us not to be sold out to Him!
“Satan can’t stand a believer with good memory. When you think of the goodness of Jesus and all He’s done, the enemy can’t present anything that will drive you away from your faith.”
In verses 16-18, the Israelites began reminiscing about what they saw God do for them and realized, He had demonstrated His power and love for them too many times for them to be disloyal and turn away from Him.
Friend, the next time the enemy tries to tempt you, discourage you, worry you, stress you, introduce doubt, or even plant negative thoughts in your mind, combat his assault by taking a stroll down memory lane. Look back over your life, and you’ll see that God has been too good for you to doubt Him now. He has made too many ways for you to worry now. He has opened too many doors for you to stress now. He has given you too many victories for you to be intimidated now. He has proven His love in too many ways for you to question it now. He has already given His son Jesus Christ to redeem us from sin and give us eternal life. If He never does another thing, that alone is enough.
Earlier today, I was looking for something in my closet, and I stumbled across the dress I was wearing on the evening God healed me in 2017. A praise rose up in me as I remembered the miracle God worked for me and how He restored my ability to walk, talk, and sing for His glory. I cannot explain the joy that came over me!
Listen, when life gets overwhelming or Satan attacks, it’s important to find a place where you can get quiet, and do a little thinking about God’s past displays of His power and majesty in your life. You’ll no doubt come away declaring, “When I think of the goodness of Jesus, and all He’s done for me, my soul cries out Hallelujah! I thank God for saving me.”
To help you do some reflecting, I’m stirring Psalm 77:12 into your cup of inspiration, which says, “I will reflect on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, meditate on the goodness of the Lord. Consider all He has done for you. When you do that, your heart will be overflowing with gratitude, and there will be no room left for anything else.
Now, let’s pray.
God, when the enemy comes against me to discourage me, tempt me, and attack me, please help me reflect on Your goodness and all Your marvelous works. As I think of Your many blessings and begin to praise You, let my heart and faith be strengthened, so I will overcome whatever comes to discourage and try me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
