The Moments We Cling To

“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9 ESV

Sometimes we wonder where God is. We think we are doing what He wants and seeking Him and yet we can't sense His presence or hear His voice. It's in those times we cling to the truth and to the moments in our past where we knew without doubt He was working in and with us. 

In the Old Testament God directed the Israelites to collect stones from the Jordan to mark their passing through on dry land and then to build a memorial to mark the place so they could tell their children of the great things God had done for them. 

“and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’”

that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.””

Joshua 4:3, 6-7 ESV

Just as they did in Bible times so do we need to mark the moments that we know God spoke to us or showed up for us at different points in our lives. Whether by intentionally making a memory or a picture or journal or whatever means we choose to mark those moments they are what we have to cling to when we face the days that seem empty of His presence. 

I have many memories that I can turn back to when I'm struggling through the quiet days and beyond that I have the truths of the Bible to dwell on to remember what God has done. 

One of my favorite hymns is the Old Rugged Cross. The lyrics are a great reminder of the biggest memory or moment I can cling to. The cross where my Savior died to give me the opportunity to dwell with Him in eternity. 

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.

Just as the Israelites built a memorial so we need to cling to the moments where God makes Himself known to us. They are the memories that sustain for a lifetime.