In the story of Gideon from Judges chapter six, we see Israel finally calling out to the Lord and the Lord responded by sending them a prophet. 7 When they cried out to the Lord because of Midian, 8 the Lord sent a prophet to the Israelites. He said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of slavery in Egypt. 9 I rescued you from the Egyptians and from all who oppressed you. I drove out your enemies and gave you their land. 10 I told you, ‘I am the Lord your God. You must not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you now live.’ But you have not listened to me.”[1]
The prophet reminds them of what the Lord had done for them in the past. He does this because they have forgotten. The Lord reminds them of where they were and how oppressed they were, yet He rescued them. We see God doing this repeatedly throughout Scripture because as sinful human beings, we forget.
That is one reason God had people put up memorials to remind them of significant events. Today, we have the Lord’s Supper to help remember what Jesus has done for us. 1 Cor. 11:24, When Jesus had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”[2] When we forget what Jesus has done, we get discouraged and think He has forgotten us.
The Lord often reminds us of who He is and what He has done for us to call us upward. This takes our focus off ourselves and places it on Him. When we do this, it changes our entire perspective. Is the Lord calling you to look up today? Is He reminding you of what He has done? When we begin to look up and remember what the Lord has done it gives us a new perspective. A perspective that brings us joy! Thank you, heavenly Father, for having patience with me and helping me to look up and remember all that You have done.
To hear the story of Gideon, listen here:
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jdg 6:7-10). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1Cor 11:24). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.