Power cuts are a fact of life – especially if you live in the country. I remember a time when Cath and I had left our boys in the bath for a couple of minutes while we chatted in the living room. We knew all was OK because there was a huge amount of noise coming from the bathroom, as they merrily emptied the water onto the floor during one of their bath-time adventures! Then, suddenly, the lights went out because of a power cut. It was pitch black. Now the noise from the bathroom was different, as the shock of no longer being able to see their noses, caused fear and panic to take over. I remember Cath and I trying to reassure the boys that all was OK as we literally crawled along the floor trying to find a flash-light! Our concern was for the kids – not for us. We knew that the power would soon be restored and the lights would return. How did we know this? Experience! We had been through many power cuts - and had lived to tell the tale!
In the above passage we see Moses strongly urging Joshua to never forget the experiences of seeing God help His people to overwhelm the kingdoms east of the River Jordan. He was not to let these memories escape his mind and he was to pass them on for the benefit of future generations. This experience was something that was to be a source of peace, so that when facing an impossible battle, Joshua could remember God’s faithfulness in the past and find courage for the future.
So today let’s remember the faithfulness of God in our own lives and draw encouragement from it. May we know that even in the most impossible of situations, He is faithful and He doesn’t change. Let’s share these experiences with our children and grandchildren so that they too can grow and have the courage to step out in faith and trust of our loving Heavenly Father.
But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.
Deuteronomy 4:9, NLT
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Andy Taylor is the Director of Ellel Ministries USA and is a member of the Executive Leadership of Ellel Ministries. He joined the team in 1991 and has served the Lord at Ellel Ministries' Centres in the UK, Australia and now the USA. Andy is married to Cath and they have three boys.