“And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years…” Deut 8:2

Recently, I gathered at a reunion with a group of guys that I served with some forty years past. Many of the faces had grown worn with time but the shared reflections and stories refreshed the memories, the experiences, and the relationships shared from the past. The scripture passage reminds us that we should pause along the way to reflect, recall, and remember our journeys in life. Look back and recall to mind “all the way which the Lord thy God led thee.” For the children of Israel, they could recall to mind God’s faithfulness to care for them, provide and protect them through their wilderness pilgrimage. They would recall that “where God leads, God feeds.” He fed them with “manna, which thou knewest not” (Deut 8:3) to sustain their strength and teach them to walk by faith to trust the word of God. They would recall that God provided and preserved them that “thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell” (Deut 8:4). The Lord God led their way, faithfully provided their every need, and chastened them in humility that they may know “by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live” and keep His commandments “to walk in His ways, and to fear him” (Deut 8:6). My friend, the joy in the life of the child of God is remembering the faithfulness of God and His love for His children. He is faithful to care for us “according to His riches in glory” (Phil 4:19) and chasten us that we might know His love (Heb 12:6). Look back on your past, recall His forgiveness of sin that you may rise to newness of life. Recall the times of His discipline that were intended to chasten and strengthen your faith to trust Him. Recall the troubles and trials where He delivered you through that you may glorify His Name. Dear friend, there is no lack to those who allow God to lead them in His own paths. Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past, encourages our faith in Him for the present, and hope in Him for the future. Remember your Father in heaven loves you and “know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). Father, thank You for Your love and faithfulness. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.