Unfathomable? Praise Anyway!
SUNDAY, September 27
Psalm 145:1-8
Psalm 145 is an acrostic poem praising God’s greatness, which the psalmist says “can’t be grasped” (v. 3, CEB). What’s the point, then, of pondering his mighty acts—his glorious splendor and majesty, his power and awesome deeds, his abundant goodness and righteousness, his mercy, compassion, patience, and faithful love—if we feel overwhelmed when we try? The very process of remembering who God is and what he’s done positions us to praise him, even in limited ways. God is not offended by our limitations; he created us this way. In his vastness, God knows that finite people begin to discover their place in his created order as they remember who he is and join the chorus of praise.
Prayer
Glorious God, I praise your name today and forever—even though I can’t fully grasp how great you are. I’m honored that you would include me in this world. Amen.
Spiritual Dementia
Monday, September 28
Exodus 12:1-14
Sometimes we see “Silver Alerts” on interstate message boards. These signs ask us to look for cars driven by people with some form of dementia—people who have likely forgotten their limitations and are possibly lost on the highway.
God commanded the Hebrew people to celebrate the Passover as a reminder of what he had done for them. “Celebrate it for all time to come” (v. 14, GNT). He didn’t want them to lose their memory of that defining moment.
Through events such as Passover, and for Christians, holy communion, God wants to spare his people the consequences of spiritual dementia. When we forget who we are and what God has done, we are easily disoriented and wander in ways that make no sense.
Prayer
Loving Father, thank you for looking out for me, even when my memory fails. Help me to take advantage of the time and relational markers you have set in place to keep us oriented to life according to your agenda. Amen.
Promises Made Long Ago
Tuesday, September 29
Exodus 13:17-22
After a 430-year Hebrew sojourn in Egypt, Moses remembered the promise his ancestors had made to Joseph to carry Father Israel’s bones out of Egypt upon their exit (v. 19). Even though Moses was leading during a chaotic time—the greatest crisis his people had faced to that point—he knew to pack the family bones, in keeping with the promise made hundreds of years earlier.
We’re often so engulfed by today’s drama that we forget our story goes back generations. Our ability to get through the crisis of the day hinges on our willingness to remember and act in light of promises made long ago.
Prayer
Gracious God, the bones of our Savior Christ Jesus have been resurrected and ascended with him to heaven. Thank you for his promise to be with us forever. Keep me centered by his words—even during times of chaos. Amen.
Remember The Awe
Wednesday, September 30
Exodus 14:19-31
“When the Israelites saw the great power with which the Lord had defeated the Egyptians, they stood in awe of the Lord; and they had faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses” (v. 31, GNT).
You’d think they’d never forget something so awesome; but our memories are incredibly short. Only twenty-four verses later, the people start complaining as their faith in both God and Moses fizzles out during a water supply crisis. How is it that less than a week after they’re so full of faith, awestruck by God’s miraculous deliverance, they so easily become complaining and fearful again?
It’s what happens when we forget what God has done in the past and live only in the moment, shortsightedly asking, “God, what have you done for me today?” Remembering past moments of awe can anchor us when present circumstances feel uncertain or overwhelming.
Prayer
Almighty God, ignite my imagination. Help me to apply yesterday’s awe to today’s challenge. I want to keep those memories alive. Amen.
The Power Of Music
Thursday, October 1
Exodus 15:1-11, 20-21
These verses contain the first song recorded in the Bible—a victory anthem celebrating how God rescued the Israelites as they crossed the Red Sea. Apparently the people were so caught up in the singing that Miriam led all the women in a reprise, dancing and shaking tambourines (vv. 20–21). Memorable.
One of the best ways to keep memories fresh is to turn them into songs or to associate them with music. Songs have a way of bringing us back to moments we might otherwise forget. Perhaps you can remember a song that reminds you of how God met you at youth camp or another meaningful time. Let that memory stir gratitude for what God has done for you over the years.
Prayer
Merciful God, you are full of rescues. Help me to sing your praises. Maybe I’ll even dig out the tambourine and dance a bit. It’s worth remembering and celebrating you! Amen.
Untwisting The Memories
Friday, October 2
Exodus 16:2-15
“The Israelites said, ‘Why didn’t God let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You’ve brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!’” (v. 3, MSG).
Sometimes when we’re under pressure, our memories get twisted. Perhaps there was a time when the Israelites ate stew and bread in Egypt, but that was certainly not their reality before God rescued them. In their distress, they remembered selectively and forgot the hardship that led them to cry out to God.
How do we keep our memories straight? It boils down to memory-fed hope. If God took good care of us back then, why not believe that he’ll do so again? It’s in his nature.
Prayer
Provider God, I confess that I’ve allowed the chaos of today to muffle my hope. Help me to remember the many ways you have cared for me in the past to rekindle hope today. Amen.
Mysteries
Saturday, October 3
Romans 16:25-27
Things happened in my past that make no sense to me even today. But I’m not going to let the mysteries of days gone by drag me down today.
I’m motivated by the big reveal in today’s passage. It once seemed that God was ignoring the Gentiles, but all along he was making a way for them, through Christ Jesus, to be included in the family of faith.
Some of our past memories are confusing. Perhaps, if God deems it wise, he will reveal how he used them to shape our lives and faith. Until then, keep the doxology of verse 27 in mind: “All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen” (NLT).
Prayer
All-wise God, I praise you, even though there are mysteries that shadow me. Help me to trust your wisdom to disclose what needs revealing. Amen.
