We have heard it with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. (Ps. 44:1)
My favorite football team won the coveted Super Bowl a few years ago. They had a couple good years after that, but then came a miserable season during which they only won two games. It could have been explained by the injury of their Hall of Fame quarterback, but that was not satisfactory. It certainly didn’t change the record. Yesterday’s victory cannot erase today’s defeat, and excuses won’t change reality. It was time for a radical rebuilding of the franchise from top to bottom to bring back the team’s winning ways.
Hearing how God worked in the past encourages us and causes us to believe we can experience his powerful presence again. Rehearsing yesterday’s victories feeds our spirit of thanksgiving and praise. However, the miraculous intervention of God’s power and grace in behalf of his people in the past does not satisfy present need. We long to know his deliverance from the enemies that defeat us. We need to experience today the present victory that accompanies his powerful presence.
If victorious living is not your present experience and your memory of God’s intervention in the events of your life is a distant reality, perhaps it is time for some radical changes in your life. Salvation and victory over your spiritual enemy needs to be a current reality not a nostalgic story rehearsed from the past.
Look back on what God has done and enjoy his victory today.
Ken Heer was an ordained minister with The Wesleyan Church, prior to his death in 2016. He served as a pastor, educator, and church leader for more than fifty years.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
