REMEMBERING GOD’S FORMER BENEFITS
Nothing contributes more effectively to encourage us to come to the throne of grace than the remembrance of God’s former benefits.
Our faith would succumb under adversity, and sorrow would choke our hearts, were we not taught to believe from the experiences of the past. It helps us to believe he will hear the prayers of his people and always do in the present and the future what he has done compassionately in the past.
What has God done for you in the past? What about your history with him in your walk over the past years? Did he not keep his word? Did he ever fail to keep his word?
“Wilt thou not turn again and quicken us, that thy people will rejoice in thee?” (Psalm 85:6).
This has been my prayer: “Lord, do it again! Revival? Do it again. Strength, refreshings of the Holy Spirit? Lord, do it again! Miracles in the past? Lord, do it again!”
Go all the way back to the Law and hear what is revealed of his nature: “And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (Exodus 34:6-7).
That is what God was, and is, and will be! God has kept you so far; why would he turn from you now?