Daily Encouragement (Archive Edition)

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

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Monday, May 25, 2020

We worked hard on Saturday around our front walkway. We are transitioning an area of previously high maintenance areas to perennial groundcover as we anticipate the reality of 2 Corinthians 4:16. Note: In the background a horse and buggy are passing. Sadie, our young dog has a bad habit of chasing them.

"We Will Remember"

Message summary: Today, let us indeed remember the days of old and consider the value and contributions of generations long past. Let us remember the wondrous works of the Lord; that He is gracious and merciful! Let us stop and give Him praise for for great is His faithfulness.

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“Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you” (Deuteronomy 32:7). "He has caused His wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful" (Psalm 111:4).

We will remember, we will remember
We will remember the works of Your hands
We will stop and give you praise
For great is Thy faithfulness

Today is Memorial Day here in America, a day that was initially set aside to remember the fallen from America’s Civil War, but now it's a time when we remember all who have fallen in war. This is commendable and we must not forget the sacrifices made to protect and maintain our freedom. My father was a WW2 veteran and Brooksyne’s dad served during the Korean War.

Memorial Day is also a time when many especially remember our loved ones who have died. But today let us consider another type of remembrance, remembering the "days of old".

In his final sermon (the entire Book of Deuteronomy) Moses prepared to pass the mantle of leadership on to his successor Joshua. He called the people to "Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past". I believe this is a good command for all people in all ages, not just the initial listeners. Of course "the days of old and generations long past" have been growing since Moses gave this command some 3,400 years ago!

It’s interesting to observe how many times the Bible reminds us to consider our history. History was very important in the life of the people and it is to the Jews of our age. Great New Testament sermons like Peter’s on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and Stephen’s (Acts 7) are rooted in history, the record of God’s providential work in space and time. Hebrews 11, known as the faith chapter, commends "the ancients" for their faith, name by name. It is an excellent overview of God’s working in history in the lives of prominent Bible characters.

Each of us has roots expressed as memories. Some memories are pleasant while others are not. But as we look back we see God's faithfulness, His provision and His tender care. This gives us a faith lift for the situations we are currently facing and the various uncertainties that we're currently dealing with during this pandemic. May the Lord help each of us to see the presence of His hand along our earthly journey until we all meet in the Promised Land. Above all, may we all be rooted and grounded in Him.

Today one of the great strategies of Satan is a blurring and de-emphasis of history, whether it be the extremely poor grasp of history evident among so many in this “living only in the now” age or the deceptions of the historical revisionists who essentially rewrite history to suit their own worldview. Sadly many in academia have fallen for this. If Satan can get us to lose perspective of the past or believe a false narrative of the past a trap is set for the lie of living only for the “Now.” Forget the past and we place little value on the future, supremely our eternal future.

“Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.” Many like us can no longer ask our father (Stephen’s passed away in 1998 and Brooksyne’s in 2000). Increasingly many have not known the love of an earthly father, but we do well to inquire of our spiritual fathers and elders. Above all we learn from the elders in the Holy Scriptures.

We've all heard the phrase "Try to remember". Some memories we would rather forget but others we must make a conscious effort to remember. At times it's a determination that we will remember.

Today, let us indeed remember the days of old and consider the value and contributions of generations long past. Let us remember the wondrous works of the Lord; that He is gracious and merciful! Let us stop and give Him praise for great is His faithfulness.

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we express thanks to you and pray for families of the fallen men and women who gave their all in fighting for our freedoms during our sojourn here on earth. We thank You above all for Jesus who made the supreme sacrifice that we might enjoy our freedom from sin and our arch enemy, Satan, for all eternity. We thank you for the days of old, for generations long past, and the great works accomplished in their lifetime. Your greatness is further demonstrated through ordinary people just like us in our lifetime. History in the past and history in the making is subordinate to Your sovereign work in the lives of Your people. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"We Will Remember" Video Triumphant Quartet

River Trail walk with Rick and Rachel 5/23/20

Saturday afternoon we joined our long-time friends Rick and Rachel for a walk on the River Trail. The Susquehanna River and Shocks Mill railroad bridge is in the background.

It was a beautiful day with clear skies and very warm temperatures, lots of bikers with people of all ages, the beauty outdoors. Probably ten minutes after we left this scenic bridge the train came through. At least we got to hear the whistle and roar in the distance.

Yesterday afternoon we joined the Lapps at the Old Windmill Farm for a picnic.

This adaptive farm implement using some type of feeder reminds us of our childhood. My Uncle Gentry (Stephen) had some huge wooden spools used for power lines that we could roll in and on around the yard in the sixties. Turns out Brooksyne's dad collected the same kinds of spools and they made picnic tables of them in their back yard.

As we conversed in the front yard our eyes were drawn up above the tree to the giant fan on the windmill.

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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