18th Shaddai Church Anniversary - by AP Edwin

Remembering what God has done for us. (Joshua 4:1-8)

Background To Joshua 4

God had used Moses to bring Israel out of Egypt, through the mighty event of The Red Sea crossing. However, at the point of reaching The Promise Land, Israel lacked faith in that same God, and disobeyed Him. Thus, God prohibited them from entering The Promised Land. Joshua was then appointed the new leader to lead the new generation of Israelites into The Promised Land. In this passage, we see Israel having just crossed The Jordan River, into the land that God had promised them.

God instructed Joshua to construct a stone memorial. The memorial was to be a visible reminder to Israel of God’s providence: the deliverance from Egypt and the entry into The Promised Land (Joshua 4:19-24). From generation to generation, it would serve to remind them of God’s faithfulness and instill reverence towards God.

Life’s Markers

As humans, we are forgetful. Even with the best of minds, a person will forget too. Markers in life remind us of important events that we may forget about. So some Christians keep journals, prayer books, or a gratitude jar to record when and how God answers prayer.

Like Israel, it is good for us to have markers to serve as reminders of God’s faithfulness. They serve to bring about hope, encouragement and strength, to help us to persevere. God’s past providence and deliverance humble us, and remind us that we are weak in our own strength.

Like Israel, we tend to rebel against God. Yet, He is ever gracious and merciful towards us. How can we walk in a spirit of unbelief and ingratitude? Instead, we should be always have a spirit of thanksgiving and praise!

Remember God, And Celebrate His Faithfulness!

Psalm 106 & 107 provide a contrasting look into Israel’s heart. Psalm 106 records Israel’s rebellion (eg, v6,7,13,21), in spite of God’s goodness towards them. Psalm 107 records Israel’s praise and celebration (eg, v8,15) as they recall God’s faithfulness.

When we forget God, we become like the Israel of Psalm 106. When we remember God’s goodness, and are grateful towards Him, we reflect Israel’s spirit in Psalm 107. These Psalms were written for us as a history lesson.

Therefore, we need to remember! Let Shaddai remember what God has done for her. How Shaddai was started, moving from venue to venue, seeing the little children growing up, having visitors bless us along the way, and we blessing them, etc. Through it all, our God is ever faithful and good!

We are all forgetful people… but let us ponder on how we want to live our life…

What legacy do we want to leave behind?

Which Psalm do we want to sing - Psalm 106 or 107?

Let’s make a commitment today. Praise God and celebrate His Goodness!

Make thanksgiving a part of your daily routine; let’s train our memory muscles to praise God!

I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. (Psalm 77:11-12)

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. (Psalm 9:1)