The Worth Of Knowing

Seeing God in my story and seeking and giving thanks for His presence is a theme that keeps coming up for me. For example, today I read Psalm 105. It starts off like this:

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭105:1-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It then goes on to describe the Israelites’ story. It’s filled with suffering and hardship as well as rejoicing and provision. What seems to define the story, though, is God remembering His covenant with His people.

We’re told all throughout the psalms and really the whole Bible to give thanks to God and tell of His works. The way we retell our stories to ourselves and others matters. We’re not only supposed to tell of what we did or others did, but what God did. And even when we can’t see God’s clear work we have faith He was there and will work it out for our good and His glory. That’s what faith does – confidently hopes in things not seen (God’s presence and work).

I think retelling our stories this way is how we seek God’s presence. After all, it forces us to acknowledge He is present in our stories. He is actively working in them.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We can be honest in the retelling of our stories. We don’t have to ignore the hard things that happened or focus on silver linings in order to honor God. We can remember that God was and is present in it all. His power is often made known in parts of our stories we wouldn’t expect – the days we feel weak and the days we are naively comfortable. That’s where our strength comes from – God’s presence.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Seeing God as the hero in every part of our story is how we give Him glory. But it does more.

I think that through this remembering and seeking and retelling the story of God in our lives we reframe how we remember (neuroplasticity is pretty amazing that way). We remember parts of our story more accurately because we learn to see Jesus there with us. Whether looking back we can clearly see His love or not we have faith that His love was at work. We are sure of this because God’s love is forever attached to us – no part of our story is without it (Romans 8:38,39). Our stories are bound by His love.