REHEARSE FORMER VICTORIES

The other morning as I was thinking about some personal issues, I heard these three words in my spirit, “rehearse former victories.” As I contemplated the implications of these words, I knew it would be the title of my next blog. Additionally, I knew my reference point would be the children of Israel’s journey in the wilderness.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the forefathers of Israel, had a relationship with God; however, during Israel’s four hundred and thirty years in Egypt, the Israelites forsook their knowledge of Him, and many turned to idol worship.

Through Moses and the ten plagues that occurred in Egypt, God reintroduced Himself to His chosen people. He intended to display to the Egyptians that there was no God like Him and to Israel that He was mighty and able to care for, protect, and provide all that they may need.

Despite the loving care and divine guidance provided for them while exiting Egypt, the continued miracles of the parting of the Red Sea, the drowning of Pharoah’s army, the defeat of the Amalekites, the cloud by day, and a fire by night, the daily Manna, and water to drink these stubborn, rebellious, stiff-necked people, complained about His provisions. Rather than rehearse former victories and let them be the stimulus for trusting God, these ungrateful people wished they were back in bondage. The wilderness experience was their classroom, and they failed miserably in it.

If they rehearsed over and over the positive actions of God toward them, maybe their faith in Him would not have wavered. Perhaps they would have realized their God loved them and would take care of them in every situation.

Since I understand that the Bible is to be used as a teaching manual, the lessons that I learned from the Israelites in their wilderness journey is I can trust God’s care for me, and to make sure I remember this, I need to rehearse former victories. If I do this, I will not complain; more importantly, I will not anger God and suffer the consequence of doing so.