Memory ... Life Again!
He and his wife were away from their home when the world exploded. In seconds it was over. Their neighbors did not know what hit them. Experts would say later that it was an F3 tornado that plowed through their small community in November. Talking with a reporter the next day, when things were calmed down, the man looked at what remained of his house and spoke of pictures, photographs of their family. "We are lucky," he said, "we have recovered about 75-80 percent of our pictures...we have life again." Their memory was largely back in tact, though their other belongings were gone. They would be better able to relive birthdays, anniversaries, parties, graduations, weddings, and the joy of children. Life again! Now they can draw strength for their future from their past.
Perhaps someone is reading this who has lost everything to a storm, a flood, or a fire. You know firsthand the pain such trauma brings with it. The older we get the more important pictures, trophies, special gifts, and things like these become. Destruction of what is familiar can be devastating. Actually the same thing was true for the ancient Hebrews. Psalm 105, a song used at worship in the temple, is a call to think back on what God had done for their ancestors, especially concerning their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This memory, of which Psalm 105 gives several examples, would serve not only to remind worshippers about God's faithfulness and power in the past but about what God can do now! The psalm is not only about what God was like but what God is like! For the psalmist, to remember is to relive and to relive what God does is to bring hope for the present and the future. God is still with us! God is still acting! We have life again! Praise the Lord!
An active, shaping, energizing memory is sometimes missing in our congregational worship of God. When I was younger, Methodist pastors would often ask during worship if anyone would like to "bear a witness" for the Lord. More likely than not, someone would rise to their feet and share something God had done recently in their lives or in the lives of their relatives or friends. Following these "testimonies" the congregation would pray-and thankful prayers at that! To us, God was not silent, or distant, or hidden, not at that time. God acted and we listened, and we were moved by what we heard. Talk about giving hope!
I have always loved to sit in a sanctuary in the late afternoon, with shadows from the windows lengthening over the pews. Though I might be alone, the place reminds me that God loves His people and that He is involved in our lives. We are tempted to think God is not concerned about us but that is not true. Perhaps the central truth of biblical faith is that God cares ... and God is with us in an active way, hearing, answering prayers, and helping. My memory of God's loving faithfulness also gives me strength to face my difficulties, to know that life is worthwhile and that God has conquered the finality of death on the cross and through the empty tomb of Jesus. When I read Psalm 105 (and I hope you will read it too), I think not only of long ago but of today, of what God will be doing this afternoon ... doing tonight.
O give thanks to the LORD, call on his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples.
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wonderful works.
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD
rejoice.
Seek the LORD and his strength;
seek his presence continually.
Remember the wonderful works he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered....
--Psalm 105:1-5
Jerry L. Mercer
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