Have I Forgotten and Not Understood?
LENT 2024 | Day 19
Mark 8:11-21 (NIV)
(Alex Seow, Assistant Secretary, Local Church Executive Committee)
…And do you not remember?” (verse 18, NKJV)
As much as the disciples were with Christ day in and day out and witnessed His awesome powers, they often got caught up and distracted with things and events happening around them. They simply forgot what Christ could do.
I too have seen and experienced the goodness and power of God in countless ways through the years. I’ll never forget how He preserved my life after I was hit by a motorbike in Thailand and suffered nothing more than fractures in my left leg, abrasions and bruises. Furthermore, in the same incident, God prevented an oncoming car on the opposite lane from running me over after I was hit by the motorbike. Till today, I still cannot fathom what exactly had happened. He has further seen me through several difficult life situations.
Yet in the midst of my walk with God, I too sometimes forget how good and awesome He is.
“…How is it you do not understand?” (verse 21, NKJV)
Apart from my forgetfulness, I don’t always see God’s hand nor comprehend what He is doing. I don’t understand many things, especially when loved ones have cancer or a serious illness, when a faithful servant of God dies suddenly, when I see severely handicapped persons or injustice in society. A few nights ago, an aged and frail “aunty” with a hunchback cleaned my table at a hawker centre after I had dinner. I was filled with sadness. I felt a sense of injustice. I just could not understand why life had to be this way for her.
God then reminded me as He did with Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding” (Job 38:4, NKJV) He reminded me that He IS the Great I Am. He is IN the midst of everything and sustaining His people and the world all the time.
I have come to a simple conclusion:
• I do not need to know the Why of everything that happens, but I do need to understand the Who, because Jesus will take care of everything.
• I do need to remember What He has done for me.
I will count my blessings each day – whether big or small.
I will recall my blessings of the past.
I will trust Him even when I don’t see His hand or understand – for He has shown His faithfulness and I know He will always be faithful to me.
Dear Lord, keep my eyes open to your miracles and blessings in my life each and every day. There are things I do not understand but I trust in Your unfailing love for me. Allow me to see beyond my present circumstances through Your eyes. May I never take You for granted but remember Your blessings that sustain me daily.
In Your name I pray, Amen.
Discussion Pointers:
1. Why do you think the disciples, having seen Jesus feed 5,000 people with just five loaves, were still worried about having no bread?
2. Are you also guilty of doubting God’s goodness despite receiving many blessings from Him?
3. How may we count our blessings from God, and remember them?
