Remember

In my daily devotional time, I read a Psalm or portions of a Psalm along with the other Scripture readings for the day. Monday morning I read Psalm 105:1-20. Verse 5 says, “Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,…”

That verse stuck with me. Memory is an important part of our relationship with God. Scripture calls us to remember. We remember God’s love and faithfulness. We remember God’s covenant relationship with us. We remember the sacrifice Jesus made for all people.

When I went on my morning walk, I was reminded, once again, about what I read. Remember the wonders he has done. I intentionally thought about the wonders of God around me as I walked down the street in our neighborhood.

As I looked at a tree, I was reminded of the story of Zacchaeus. You know the one. Jesus had come to Jericho. Zacchaeus wanted to see who he was. The crowd was blocking his view because Zacchaeus was short. He ran ahead and climbed up in a tree, so he would be able to see Jesus. Jesus saw Zacchaeus, spoke to him, and Zacchaeus’ life was never the same. Salvation – forgiveness had come to Zacchaeus. God used a tree to make the wonders of Jesus’ love known.

As I continued to walk, I thought about the majesty of God as I looked at the beauty around me.

The leaves slowly changing colors and then falling, carpeting the ground with their beauty. The birds were singing. I was surrounded by the beauty of nature as I reflected on the wonders of God.

As I walked, a hymn came to mind. Later that day, I looked up “For the Beauty of the Earth” and sang the words.

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies; Lord of all, to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night, hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light; Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For thyself, best Gift Divine, to the world so freely given, for that great, great love of thine, peace on earth, and joy in heaven: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

I hope sometime this week you have time to remember. Remember and celebrate the wonders God has done. Remember and celebrate God’s love and faithfulness. And may your remembering lead to words and songs of praise to God.