Our Children's Children - Pt 2

As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. (Psalm 103:15-19 ESV). Today we continue down the journey. I am reminded of a second principle beyond taking the first step trusting the Lord. It is the importance of learning how to talk to yourself; and, it is learning to silence the condemnation of our enemy and rest in the hope we have in Christ. For an answer to how we practically do this, I’d like to highlight two observations. First, remind yourself of what the LORD has done. Sin, pain, or sorrow can blind us to God’s present working and, occasionally, even the miraculous ways he's worked in our lives in the past. And while we might argue with our journal or with our memory, God’s work in redemptive history is unassailable. David says, But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. David takes us back to the most pivotal event he can think of. And it's not in the valley of Elah with three smooth stones in his hand and a sling by his side. In fact, it's not even an event from his lifetime. Instead, David brings us back to Sinai. It is the moment when the LORD worked powerfully and victoriously and decisively to redeem his people out of Egyptian bondage. He brings us back to the moments when God demonstrated his covenant-keeping love. We should follow David’s example to get our minds around concrete, unassailable realities of his work in redemptive history. Revisit the redemptive work of God in others and in yourself. Remember! Second, cling to the truth about the Lord. David says, The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. David is quoting Exodus 34:6. David, Moses, Jonah, Jeremiah, Joel, Nehemiah, and Hezekiah all went here for help. And David, having to mind this text, begins to spin out all its implications. God’s anger does not last forever, sin has been cast as far as the east is from the west, God’s compassion will not fail because David is his. David is moved. A heart that was faltering is now soaring. When you’re talking to yourself, are you reminding yourself of what God has done for you in Christ Jesus? I have found it very important to remember what the Lord has already done. The next step in my journey then becomes very easy. After all, it’s no step for a stepper. And the Lord is a stepper!