“We give thanks to you, O God;
we give thanks, for your name is near.
We recount your wondrous deeds.”
“I consider the days of old,
the years long ago.
I said, ‘Let me remember my song in the night;
let me meditate in my heart.’
Then my spirit made a diligent search…
Then I said, ‘I will appeal to this,
to the years of the right hand of the Most High.’
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among the peoples.
You with your arm redeemed your people.”
“Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.
He established a testimony in Jacob
and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers
to teach to their children,
that the next generation might know them,
the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God.”
“But we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
from generation to generation we will recount your praise.” Psalm 75:1; 77:5-6,10-15a; 78:1-7; 79:13
God is a God of numbers and wonders. Along with all things, He created counting, and our ability to recount His manifold works, deliverances, and graces. He does all things well and intends that we recall those things and the goodness behind them with wonder. He calls us to continue the telling of His might and kindness to tie the past to present and future over years and generations. Recounting in mind and with lips readjusts focus, fills with hope, and assuages fear and frustration. It rewards the soul with gratitude and anticipation, and bolsters the sense of God’s nearness, guidance, guarding, and glory. (Mark 7:37)
When we recount the works of God’s hand and strong arm we give reward to others by increasing awareness of the divine, awakening faith and thankfulness, and prompting praise. Our marveling can be contagious as others behold His greatness, intervention, and care.
How has recounting what the Lord has done changed our attitude toward hard things? Lifted our expectations? Elevated our conversations? Has it pulled us above earthly wrangling, petty complaining, and fruitless fretting? Is it turning talk about ourselves to praise of His name and renown?
In what venues are we raising hope and wonder? How can we make a difference for the weary and discouraged, the downcast and broken-hearted? What are we proclaiming and modeling to bolster the next generation in faith and hope in the Lord? Personal inclination toward the Lord and recounting His wonders inspires others and exalts our Christ.
Lord, establish in and through me a bright, bold testimony of Your great deeds, so that many trust and thank You forever.
As the rain and snow 