Remembering as a Weapon

I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord (Psalm 27: 13-14, CSB).

I’ve been working through the Bible in a year plan. Each day has some required reading with a follow-up recap video, and it has, in a good way, challenged my approach to reading the Bible.

The reading is performed in chronological order, and it has allowed me to dive a little deeper into the stories of the Bible that, admittedly, I have probably skimmed over in the past.

Reading through the Psalms, and hearing the words of David in direct response to stories from 1 Samuel has given me a new, real-time, perspective for the emotions he was experiencing.

David, the youngest son of Jesse, was selected as a future king of Israel when he was just a young boy. As he was waiting for the promise of the throne, he lived through persistent persecution, and attack by the current king, Saul.

Put yourself in David’s shoes. Can you imagine what that would have been like? How do you think you would have responded?

Reading through Psalms is a bit like being on an emotional roller-coaster. David’s words contain a little bit of everything: lament, praise, hope, frustration, and fear.

David is not without his own sin, but I’m also not sure I would have handled things as well as he did. He laments, yes, but he also chooses to weaponize his remembering.

Psalm 27, titled “My Stronghold”, finds David crying out to the Lord, remembering God’s goodness and protection. Verses 13 and 14 may be familiar: I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.”

Have you ever found yourself in a battle, dealing with attack, and persecution?

Have you ever had to choose to remember God’s goodness while you’re waiting?

Have you ever been the subject of unfair criticism or harsh judgment?

Yes. We’ve all been there. How quickly do we forget the goodness of God? I am guilty.

No matter what situation you find yourself in today, spend some time reading through David’s words in Psalms and you will be reminded that God is our advocate, protector, provider, and defender. When we choose to use that remembering as a weapon, we are strengthened in the Lord, just as David was.

Pray. Cry out to, and wait for the Lord, because He will never leave or abandon us.

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