Marks to Remember

Psalm 33:12

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,

The people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

Yesterday morning I was going through my daily ritual, standing in front of the mirror trying to make something presentable of my rested, but bed-marked face, I saw nothing remarkable, only me. Later though, upon exiting the shower, I noticed something interesting on the steamed mirror; little handprints and artwork of circles and imaginary letters adorned the mirror. Previously hidden from view, the steam highlighted the designs my grandchildren had decided to imprint on the previously steamy mirror.

As a dad, I remember looking at such things with disappointment, since they created a new task for me, as a grandparent my view was altogether different. In this now quiet house, these designs brought a smile to my face and gladness to my heart as I viewed the creativity on display of these amazing children. I stood back admiring this display as one would admire a fine painting in a gallery (though with admittedly less clothing).

The marks are still on my mirror, and I will delight in them again, next time I exit the shower, for these marks tell a story. I am not inclined to find the window cleaner and towel, for to do so would be to erase the sweet memories of a house of squeals, laughter, and small feet pitter-pattering through it.

Then I was reminded of the stories that fill the Old Testament. Many of them are wonderful, demonstrating the power of God as he rescues his people or guides them through the wilderness. Others of these stories are difficult, as the people reject their God, opting to worship idols instead of their Creator. All these marks matter because they tell a story of God’s involvement throughout history. His mercy, his grace, is visible in all of it. As I continue reading the Scripture, story after story is told and retold as a way of steaming up the mirror so these times would become visible again, allowing people then and now to revisit the graceful and merciful God of the ages.

Recently, I’ve noticed that people in our culture are attempting to whitewash some of the history of our nation. Dark places in our story are being eliminated from our nation. Other spots that are beautiful times of restoration or awakening are being neglected because they don’t fit the ideology of most of our educators. As a result, the marks of history that shine with the presence of God, and the black strokes of moments when we forgot as a culture to value people are being rubbed out of our memory. The Windex is on the glass of history and some of these days so glorious or so dreadful are going to be scrubbed. I would encourage you, dear friend, not to do that. This nation as a collective has turned from its stories, but the stories help us understand our need for God and the ways he desires to become the LORD of all of us.

As we approach this Independence Day, I encourage you to trace over the marks, all of them that have made us who we are. Recall the stories of the Continental Congress hammering out the documents that preserve for us a people, the desperation that accompanied General Washington as winter, poor supply lines, and sickness carved away at his already embattled troops. Don’t neglect the deep resolve and grit that was so deeply marked in the hearts and minds of warriors from Delaware to Fort McHenry, to the Alamo, to Vicksburg, to Iwo Jima and even to Benghazi. Revisit the moments where greed sought to destroy our soul through slavery, westward expansion, abortion, and more. Recount the terror of the Trail of Tears, the bravery of the Underground Railroad, the ruthless slaughter of World War I and the carnage of the war that followed it. Tell of the abandonment our troops felt after Vietnam and the fury and ardor that we felt collectively in the days following 9/11, and so much more.

You see, these are marks that help us see the grand picture of who we are. The dark strokes are just as important for us to recall as are the moments of glory. God’s providence is present in the world today and we can receive blessings or curses depending on our relationship to the Everlasting God. If we repent, we will discover his blessings, if we rebel, we will discover the mercy of his fury.

Prayer for today:

Everlasting Father, as we trace over the marks of our own story as a nation, we are reminded again of your desire to become our LORD. We, as your Church, repent and return our hearts to you. We ask you to forgive our sins as we have, at times rejected you, thinking ourselves mighty, haughty, and self-sufficient. In this season we resolve to be more dependent on you than ever before and remember that you are the LORD. We make you our LORD and resolve to live in your constant supply. Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Wes