In Him the enslaved find redemption, the guilty pardon, the unholy renovation. In Him are everlasting strength for the weak, unsearchable riches for the needy, treasures of wisdom and knowledge for the ignorant, fullness for the empty.

                                                                                                      —Puritan prayer

When I read this prayer, my mind recalls one memory after another of God’s gracious work in my life over the years. Just pause and reflect on your own redemption and forgiveness; the instances when strength was imparted at the perfect time or wisdom given at just the right moment. Our minds are like sieves; they leak, and we forget the many ways the God of the universe has literally shown up just for us.

Reminding myself of his past kindnesses gives the hope and faith I need today to trust him with my very present hurdles.

Wasn’t that exactly what the young David did as he faced Goliath? You remember the story recorded in 1 Samuel 17. David was aghast at the timidity of Israel’s army, quaking in their boots as the giant Philistine taunted the army of God twice a day for 40 days. Undaunted by the size of Goliath, he told King Saul that he would gladly fight this monster for the glory of God. All Saul could see was a boy standing before him. He knew nothing of David’s dependence on God’s past faithfulness.

I love how The Message puts David’s faith-filled response: “David said, ‘I’ve been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I’d go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I’d grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference—I killed it. And I’ll do the same to this Philistine pig who is taunting the troops of God-Alive. God, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine.’ Saul said, ‘Go. And God help you!’”

Well, you know how it all ended up: a grand victory for Israel and one more memory David would need of God’s love and kindness toward him.