It Starts Small

What are the landmark moments in your life?

Can you recall times when God did something big in your life?

What are some of God’s wonderful works in your life, in your family, or in your church family?

How did you celebrate those times?

1 Chronicles 16 shares with us the return of the Ark to Israel under King David. The Ark had very special meaning to the Israelites. The Ark represented God’s presence and power over His people. It communicated God’s nearness or absence. The Ark’s return demanded “national” attention!

We often let these landmark moments come and go, thankful but not stopping long enough to consider the significance of them in our lives. David shined a spotlight on this moment for us. He took the opportunity to thank and praise a living God!

Like many of God’s deeds, this event is recorded and commemorated for generations to come so a testimony of God’s Faithfulness is passed down.

Stop and think about that for a moment. Do you recall anything being passed down, a vibrant story of God’s faithfulness to you or through your family? I know I can not think of one. I can think of landmark moments, but never were they pondered or considered as a testimony to be shared from generation to generation.

David desired for Israel to worship God in this ceremonial return of the Ark. There was also a long range intent to recall God’s glory year after year. Asaph writes a song of thanksgiving for this very event in Psalm 105.

As we experience God’s power in our lives, teaches us from His Word, uses us in the lives of others, helps us mature, frees us from sin, or carries us through a difficult season, how do we give thanks in the moment and give thanks again in the future?

When we record God’s deeds we stir up gratitude and strengthen our faith. We need moments of looking back to see His faithfulness so we can trust Him in tomorrow. 1 Chronicles was written while Israel was in exile. They were scatted about and faced opposition, enemies, suffered spiritual apathy and temptation. They faced fear and discouragement. As they remembered God, the remembered He has always been on their side and it led them into thanksgiving that gave them strength and hope to trust Him moving forward.

Grateful remembrance is like taking a huge breath. We breathe out anxiety and discouragement that is threatening to take our breath away.

Looking back to look up refocuses our eyes on God rather than ourselves or circumstances.

We give thanks by remembering and this grateful remembrance builds trust and faith. God will always come through and our past is evidence.

Today, ponder the song written about this event. Read 1 Chronicles 16:1-36 and Psalm 105. What landmark moments do you you need to remember for tomorrow?

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Part 1: Remembering Landmark Moments
Part 2: The Overflow of Your Heart
Part 3: Saying Grace
Part 4: Blessings or Problems?
Part 5: The Lord’s Supper
Part 6: Remembering and Forgetting
Part 7: Remember God!