The Goodness of Remembering

Do you have a favorite story or two from Christmases in the past? Maybe it was a fun present you got or one of your relatives did something silly - but one way or the other, these memories always fill you with cheer.

The author of this song today is on their way up to the temple in Jerusalem. That’s what ‘Song of Ascents’ means - they were something like the “Top 40” songs of generation after generation of believers who went up the long hill to the temple for one of the three big annual feast days of the Jews. And this particular song is about the good memories of the past (or at least that’s how this song starts out). Listen in:

Psalm 126
A Song of Ascents

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.

There’s something comforting and encouraging about good memories. They help orient us in our lives when there’s uncertainty. And inherent in the spiritual journey and the physical journey (the long and winding road up to Temple from all the small towns and villages in the land) is uncertainty. You never quite know what’s up ahead. So memory is like a tether. It keeps you connected to your story.

In particular, remembering what God has done in your life is one of the most important things we need to stay oriented. Whether we are in a season of doubt, discouragement or even disbelief, remembering back can be so very helpful.

What are the times with God you remember most fondly? How did God show up in those times?