Remembering…
Ancient covenants were more like peace treaties, but between ruler and subjects. The sovereign promised protection from enemies and provision of shelter and sustenance. The burden for these two things rested on the one ruling. The subjects were responsible for loyalty and obedience. They were not to commit treason, or incite rebellion, but to honor the one two whom they were pledged by the covenant, acting as though the king could be trusted to keep his end. This was the definition of “love” between a king and his people. My 2019 verse “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be yours as well.” (Matthew 6:33) echoed this kind of covenant.
Here at the beginning of the year is a natural time for assessing the past and planning toward the future. We even have a month named for the ancient Roman god who looked forward and back simultaneously, supposedly presiding over doorways and gates as well as the change of the year. The people in my life who work in accounting are doing this regularly: toting up the balances at the end of the month, quarter and year, and planning for anticipated expenditures.
We need to do this, too. God instructs us to look back and remember the good things He has done, as well as to walk with Him fearlessly into the future. But, accounting really only works with numbers and money…not very well with relationships. Our hearts don’t fit very well into a spreadsheet. It is very difficult for us to self-evaluate; we are more likely to underestimate or exaggerate our “performance.” Thankfully, we don’t have to, because unless the Holy Spirit of Truth points something out to us, we will not see anything clearly! And when He does, it is only ours to bring the guilt and the failures to Jesus to receive His forgiveness and cleansing. And give thanks for it. That’s the kind of remembering God commands…that, and remembering regularly what He has done and how He has come through for us, and reminding one another about it!
Join me in taking some time to remember the good things He has done for you this year. Feel free to share them in the comment section.
Following Jesus every day in the everyday!
Christi
P.S. If you ordered a Frugal Cooking Guide and have not received it, please email me and we will straighten it out.
christi@grainofwheat.co
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