“…but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20b NKJV)
Appropriately and deservingly, on this Memorial Day weekend, we remember those who served and made sacrifices in our armed forces. Equally important, we remember our loved one who went to their new home in heaven to be with the Lord. Ultimately, especially on this Sunday morning, we will remember the One who gave His life on Calvary for you and me.
What about “Missing Memories?” Often on Memorial Day weekend, we neglect to stop and think about what God has done for us personally during our years of life. God has created some memories for us, right? I’m talking about God. God, the One who called us out of darkness into the marvelous light. God, the One who makes all things work together for good for those who love the Lord, If you will just think about it for a little while, your heart will be filled with thanksgiving and you will not be able to prevent the following words from coming out of your mouth more than once this weekend, “Praise God!”
Let me clarify something before I show that when you look back over your life, you will find some memories similar to Joseph’s memories, and this will help you will reach the same conclusion. Here is what I want to make clear. God is Sovereign. He is in control. But get this now. God may allow things to happen for a purpose, but God does not cause evil, badness, or the behaviors of those who do not revere God. He is not the author of all that stuff! However, God can produce good, for HIs purpose, out of what he allows to take place in your life. Think about it on the Memorial Day weekend. Oh! Do you want some help? Well, I’ll be glad to help you not be guilty of going through the weekend with “Missing Memories.” Consider the following:
Joseph’s father, Israel made a varicolored tunic for Him because of love. Your heavenly Father has an indescribable piece of attire waiting for you in Glory, because of love. When we were young, we referred to our “tunic” by saying, “I got a robe, you got a robe, all of God’s children got a robe. When I get to heaven, going to put on my robe and walk all over God’s heaven.” The fact that God’s love caused Him to send His son to die on a cross so that you could have eternal life and wear your new attire on of these days, all that should not be part of your “Missing Memories.”
Joseph had to deal with sibling issues. But those sibling issues did not hinder God from working things out for good. Be honest now! Be transparent! Admit it! You had some sibling issues too but remember that God did not let that interfere with your specific purpose in kingdom building. How you overcame sibling issues should not be a part of your “Missing Memories.”
Joseph had to endure a pit, but that did not interfere with God’s purpose for him. You have been through many a pit but remember how God brought you out of the pit, time after time. How He brought you out of the pits of life should not be part of your “Missing Memories.”
Joseph had to go through false accusations, but guess what? That did not stop God from fulfilling His purpose through Joseph. Like Joseph, you have had to deal with false accusations. You know the expression we used to say, “People will talk about you just as sure as you are born.” But once again, recall how none of that wrongful noise kept God from fulfilling the purpose He has for you. Don’t let the lies, loaded rumors, and the levied put down words dominate your memories. Instead, keep thinking and remember how God helped you be an overcomer of such things. Don’t let false accusations, often prompted by misunderstanding and the inability to see what God is doing; don’t let the false accusations and God’s activity to make you immune from such lies be a part of your “Missing Memories.”
Joseph was imprisoned. But prison was not the final stop for Joseph. It was just a temporary bus stop on the way to God working things out for good for Him and in a greater sense, for what would be the nation of Israel, and all the children of the Lord. You have been imprisoned by a plethora of things: pain, perpetual grief, poverty perhaps, personal loss, and you have been locked up by persistent thoughts that rendered you seemingly powerless. But God! Can I say that again? But God, He did not leave you imprisoned, but He pulled you out and pushed you forward to fulfill your purpose. Don’t let the memories of how God brought you out of whatever had you locked up be part of your “Missing Memories.”
I could go on, but I know you have to get to worship this morning. So, I will just challenge you to stop and sit down at some time during this Memorial Day weekend and remember all that the Lord brought you through and how whatever happened, the good and the bad, did not cause God to abandon you. Acknowledge the fact that through it all, God was working it out for good because He has purpose for you! Yes, through it all, God has a purpose to be fulfilled by you! Have a great day! Love you! Be blessed!
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NKJV)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King