Some days I find myself at a loss for words, literally. As a lingering side-effect of my struggle with Lyme disease a few years ago, I sometimes lose words. They are generally common, uncomplicated words, but suddenly, without warning, they are gone, wiped from my memory banks like an eraser sweeping across a chalkboard. Those teeny Lyme bacteria can burrow into the brain and cause inflammation, and that swelling can impact that delicate organ, leading to a long-term symptom referred to as brain fog. As a result of that brain fog, I often find myself holding a spoon, or a phone, or possibly my wallet, and unable to come up with the term to describe the item. The temporary amnesia passes after I struggle for a few long moments, desperately trying to open the file cabinet of my brain to recall the word. Often I am forced to surrender and allow my husband to bring the word back for me . It is a bit of a scary situation to which I have become accustomed, but I hope that I never become passive to the presence of spiritual amnesia.
The children of Israel fell victim to spiritual memory loss time and time again. In order to rescue them from the slavery of Egypt, God, “with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm,” “Smote Egypt in their firstborn…brought out Israel from among them…divided the Red Sea into parts…made Israel to pass through the midst of it…overthrew Pharaoh…led his people through the wilderness…smote great kings…and gave their land for an heritage,” He did it all! He miraculously supplied manna, quail, water, and raiment “that waxed not old” to remind His people that He was the source of their supply. He consistently supplied all their needs and sustained their lives through miraculous means. Yet this blessed people developed memory loss in regards to the unfathomable grace and mercy of God. Their walk was constantly one of complaining, murmuring, rebelling, and blatant disobedience. Perhaps that is why the psalmist challenged God’s people to “Give thanks unto the LORD,” for when our perspective is one of praise and thanksgiving, there remains little time for griping, complaining, and moaning…and forgetting.
A good way to reestablish a thankful heart that remembers is to set time aside, deliberately and purposefully, to ponder the past provisions bestowed upon us by the hand of our Father, especially His unmerited gift of mercy. If you are in a rough patch of life and need a moment of praise, read through Psalm 136 aloud and dwell on the phrase “for his mercy endureth forever,” a phrase which is repeated a whopping 26 times! In God’s mercy He doesn’t give us what we deserve, which is His wrath, but in His grace He blesses us with that which we don’t deserve, an eternity in His presence. We serve a God Who is always faithful to His promises, Who offers love, mercy, and grace to those who are least deserving. Spend a moment or two praising the name of the One Whose mercy endures forever today!
Psalm 136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Lord, Your mercy does endure forever, through every storm, every season of life. Help me never to forget the undeserved blessing You rain down upon me.