This rainy Friday morning, with a bit of weariness in my soul over the difficult days we are living in, I still opened my Bible for morning devotions. God’s Word is given to kindle the fire of faith in believers. The second verse I read today, in the prophet Isaiah (33:2),  helped me to lean upon the Lord afresh —

O LORD, be gracious to us; we wait for you.
Be our arm every morning,
our salvation in the time of trouble. (ESV)

If you read that whole chapter you will quickly realize that Isaiah (and all God’s people) was in the midst of some big difficulties. Yet the prophet called the people to trust in the Lord, and lean upon Him — He who is above these circumstances, indeed, He who controls the flow of history itself. As Isaiah 33:5–6 says,

[5] The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high;
he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness,
[6] and he will be the stability of your times,
abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure. (ESV)

Thank God that we can profit from His Word every morning, regardless of the forecast.

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The Psalmist writes “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah” (143:5-6). To remember is to look backwards so to speak, to reflect and revisit God’s past dealings with you.

Charles Spurgeon gives an illustration of this from the waterways of old:

Bargemen on the canal push backwards that they may propel the barge forward, and sometimes we who believe in Jesus Christ have to push backwards — to look back on our past experiences in order to derive fresh courage for the present hour of trial.

Friends, take time to look backwards today. His mercies ought not to be forgotten. You will find help for the present and for the way yet ahead.

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