The beginning of a new year is always a bittersweet time for the careful ponderer. With the benefit of hindsight, we scrutinize the past twelve months, asking where we succeeded and where we failed. If we had to confess, we'd likely all think critically of the time behind us and lament that we wasted our year in many ways. Hindsight is often unkind to those who wish to be better next year.

But hindsight need not be inimical! As I reminisce on this past year, I'm learning that I can remember all the incredible things God's done. This year, I preached a message entitled Don't Forget the Stones, contemplating this truth. We're quick to critique the Lord when things aren't going well and are abysmally slow to praise Him when things go swimmingly. The main point I made in that message is almost the same as I make today: Take time to enshrine all that God has done in your life so you can look back in wonder and praise.

This is something that gives us the strength to push forward. Even in the grimmest seasons of life, I have mementos of when my glorious King made a miracle from the mud. It's when I take my eyes off the Lord and forget what He has done that I wonder whether He'll rescue me from darkness this time. Would the dark feel so overwhelming if I had built monuments to recall what the Lord has done for and through me?

In biblical Hebrew, there's this word–"yada"–used 43 times throughout God's many commandments to the Israelites in Deuteronomy. It is frequently used as a directive to God's people to consider, instruct, and recollect so that they are aware of what God has done in such a way that it is virtually unimaginable that they forget. This mandate should be taken seriously, as shown by God's instructions. In Deuteronomy eleven, He gives them instructions to instill this knowledge in their hands, in front of their eyes, on their gates, and their doorposts in conjunction with their hearts and souls. (Deut. 11:18-21)

Long story short, there's a principle we can pick up from these commands. It seems that God desires His people to consider the things He has done—and what He has taught us—all the time! God has given his people the joyful task of actively remembering what he has done for and through us—a chance to celebrate, give thanks, and teach others about all the good Lord has done. In hindsight, I think you'd agree with me when I say God has done great things.

The temptation to brood on the negatives of our past is one I sympathize with; I found myself succumbing to it just this week! But consider the power of remembering when God did something spectacular in your life during 2022. Heck, contemplating even little things might do us a world of good. As you reflect, you might see He's done more than you can ask, think, or imagine.

In 1st Samuel seven, the Israelites find themselves against their nemesis, the Philistines. The prophet Samuel leads the people in prayer and confession and makes a sacrifice for the Lord on behalf of Israel. The Lord answers, routing the Philistines with roaring thunder. Afterward, Samuel takes a stone and sets it up as a memorial, stating the plain fact: "The LORD has helped us to this point." (1 Samuel 7:12). Here, we see the prophet taking the commands of the Lord seriously. When God heard the people's cries for deliverance, Samuel's response was to erect a remembrance stone. This way, the people could return to that place and recall their Lord has helped them.

Building an altar served as a dramatic symbol of reverence and a reminder of what God had commanded, how the people had reacted, and how God had blessed or discipled them. In either case, the remembrance was a valuable lesson for future generations and that culture. I wonder whether we can recall how God's grace has transformed us over the previous year in both straining and stunning ways. By keeping these things in mind, we will be far better equipped to face the future.

I'm reminded of the beautiful line in the hymn Come Thou Fount:

"Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by thy help I'm come;

And I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home."

As with many old hymns, this line initially confused me until I did a little digging and learned it's origin from this portion of 1st Samuel. Ebenezer translates to "stone of help" in Hebrew (eben = stone, ezer = help). For years, decades, and generations to come, Samuel wished for the people to recollect how God had saved his children when they had humbled themselves before him. Because of their long history of disloyalty, they did not deserve God's intervention when exposed to their adversaries closing in. Nevertheless, God intervened with thundering to scatter Israel's foes in his merciful faithfulness to his covenant people.

I, too, find myself prone to wander. I'm disloyal to my Maker and don't deserve His goodness showering over me. Even so, He helps me. He loves me. His thundering voice causes the enemy to flee. If I take a moment, pause, and reflect on where I've been and where He's worked in my life, I find the courage to hope. I find myself believing He'll be faithful once again.

This year, remember all He has done. Remind your heart that our God is mighty to save and is still working wonders in our world. With the benefit of hindsight, we'll look back and be empowered to move forward.