In the middle of life’s really tough, nearly debilitating, suffering battles of life we can forget about the God who saves us and the One who is always at work within us who believe.  Through tears we can forget that God stands ready to lift us up from the ashes of brokenness when we call out to Him for help.  We can forget to look up from what has been dumped on us for whatever reason and only cast our eyes at the mess instead of the Message.  We can forget what we believe as we hear words of worldview thinking that only satisfies self and fall for sin and resulting destructive behaviors.  We can forget all the blessings God has given to us, grown in us and delivered to us by His grace and mercy for us.  We can forget what love is when we forget about God who is Love.

If ever I forget you, Lord…Remind me!  I know you won’t let me wander too far without bringing back my memory of You and all You and Your Son have done for me.  I know you will remind me of the glory of your relentless love.  I know you have redeemed and saved me from self and all the sins that surround selfish thinking.  I know you will deliver me each day from the thinking and resulting behavior that the enemy tries to present to me.  I know you and I want to know more.  I love you and I want to love like you love me.  So, I remember to turn to Your Word and meditate on each word while Your Holy Spirit teaches me.  I remember to be a willing, humble student who adores her Teacher.

Yes, if ever I forget you when the sea of doubt overwhelms me, help me.  I know you will.  Just as you parted the Red Sea when your people took the first step forward, you will make a way for me and for all who believe, trust and hope in You and walk toward You. 

If EVER I forget, may my first thought be of You and my first words be “Thank you!”

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 137, The Message

^1-3 Alongside Babylon’s rivers
    we sat on the banks; we cried and cried,
    remembering the good old days in Zion.
Alongside the quaking aspens
    we stacked our unplayed harps;
That’s where our captors demanded songs,
    sarcastic and mocking:
    “Sing us a happy Zion song!”

^4-6 Oh, how could we ever sing God’s song
    in this wasteland?
If I ever forget you, Jerusalem,
    let my fingers wither and fall off like leaves.
Let my tongue swell and turn black
    if I fail to remember you,
If I fail, O dear Jerusalem,
    to honor you as my greatest.

^7-9 God, remember those Edomites,
    and remember the ruin of Jerusalem,
That day they yelled out,
    “Wreck it, smash it to bits!”
And you, Babylonians—ravagers!
    A reward to whoever gets back at you
    for all you’ve done to us;
Yes, a reward to the one who grabs your babies
    and smashes their heads on the rocks!

TRUTH:  God remembers us. God is always at work within us and around us. God delivers us.  God loves us through it all.  Believe and be saved by the One who loves you most.

Proverb 16:1-7, The Message

Mortals make elaborate plans,
    but God has the last word.

² Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good;
    God probes for what is good.

³ Put God in charge of your work,
    then what you’ve planned will take place.

⁴ God made everything with a place and purpose;
    even the wicked are included—but for judgment.

⁵ God can’t stomach arrogance or pretense;
    believe me, he’ll put those braggarts in their place.

⁶ Guilt is banished through love and truth;
    Fear-of-God deflects evil.

⁷ When God approves of your life,
    even your enemies will end up shaking your hand.

WISDOM:  God is in control. God made everything and everyone with purpose.  Don’t forget God has the last word!  God is The Word.

Abba, Father in Heaven,

Hallowed be Your Name.  May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in every detail of our lives here on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day great memories of all you have done for us and in us that will drive us forward in your way of thinking and behaving.  And forgive us our sins of selfishness as we forgive those who hurt, malign or mock us.  Lead us not into temptations to strike back but deliver us from evil and evil’s schemes to distract us and destroy us.  We know you won’t let that happen.  All good comes from you.  To You be all glory!  Help us to love like you do by allowing your power to flow through us. 

In Jesus Name, Amen.  I believe.