During college, Dr. Ollila often reminded us to remember the works of the Lord. The idea was that remembering what God has done would encourage us to trust him for the future. As I read Psalm 77 this morning, the same idea popped out of the text.

Has God forgotten to be gracious,
Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion? Selah.
Then I said, “It is my grief,
That the right hand of the Most High has changed.”
I shall remember the deeds of the Lord;
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
I will meditate on all Your work
And muse on Your deeds.
Psalm 77:9-12

The writer of the psalm must have been going through some dark days — so bad that he thought the Lord had forgotten him. His remedy was to remember and meditate on the works of the Lord. In his case, he went back to God’s works during the days of Moses and Aaron. But what about us?

The Scriptures were written to give us hope. As we read the Bible narratives of ancient believers, we should be encouraged that God can do the same for us. But there comes a point where we have to remember what he has done for us as well. What has God done for me during my life? What has he done for me recently? Remembering those things will be an encouragement to all who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good.