ON THE VANGUARD

I HAVE REMEMBERED MY COVENANT
“’Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel, whom the Egyptians are keeping in slavery; and I have remembered my covenant.”
Exodus 6:5

Have you ever considered that when it comes to negativity we remember well, but when it comes to blessing we forget? Let me give you an example. I can remember each of my major flaws. I can remember the first time I looked at pornography, the first time I said a cuss word, the first time I yelled at my son, the first time I got an ‘F’, the first time I got my name the board in school, and the first time I got pulled over. I would like to say they all happened yesterday, but I would be telling a lie. The truth is they all have happened over the course of thirty-seven years now. That means that I have had years to replay in my mind all the negative things I have done, and I didn’t give you a complete list. But if I had to make a comparison of all the promises in God’s word against the negatives I can easily remember, the negative would surpass the blessing. Why? And why is it that God is so quick to remember what I am so quick to forget?
Why is it that many times I only remember His promises when someone reminds me? The minister speaks something and my memory is triggered. I hear a song on the radio and a verse I can stand on comes to mind. I see a sunset and remember an aspect of God. All these things are triggered but never remembered on their own. Does not Psalm 103:2 say to “…forget not all His benefits”? I guess I am not in such bad company, however, for God had to do this with Moses as well.
When Moses and Aaron went before Pharaoh, they spoke the words told to them by God. “God says, ‘Let my people go.’” Pharaoh, however, was not so quick to obey. In fact, not knowing who God was he questioned why he should even listen to Him. As his answer, he responded with additional labor. Originally straw was being given to the people and now the Hebrews were being told to gather their own straw. The amount of bricks was not to cease or dwindle; the quota still had to be met. So when the people returned home a few days later, after being told they were lazy by the Pharaoh for missing the quota, they saw Moses and Aaron and spoke harshly to them, almost cursing them by saying, “May God look at you and judge accordingly.” With this, Moses went back to God and questioned Him.
I wonder if the speaking was more of a pouting. Moses may not have been the most loved at that moment, but Moses’ faith was about to grow. After all the questions, and all the waving of his arms in frustration, Moses heard these words. “Now you will see what I am going to do to Pharaoh.” He went on, though, to inform Moses that He did remember that He had established a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He did hear the crying of His people. And He had every intention of making good on His covenant. In a way, God was just getting warmed up.
Lately I have been doing a great deal of personal prayer and study in the Word, looking to see where I am being led next. As I have shared, I know the calling God has spoken over me, but I do not know the timing. It is in this year of 2012, though, that I feel He is beginning to move me into a new place, whether that mean spiritually, physically, relationally or emotionally. I feel it is safe to say that He is remembering His covenant, and is just getting warmed up. Although my mind continues to lead me to the thoughts of negativity, He reminds me of what He has said. And this may be exactly where you find yourself. You too may be dwelling on the past, but God is saying that He is ready to move you forward. He has not forgotten His covenant concerning you, nor will He ever. He is just warming up.