[Today’s devotion on remembering God’s goodness is a part of the Weekend Word devotional series. Come back every Saturday for fresh insights from God’s Word to jumpstart your week, or follow my blog via email or WordPress to get my content sent straight to your inbox.]

Read: Psalm 77

Scripture:
¹¹ I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
¹² I will consider all your works
    and meditate on all your mighty deeds. (Psalm 77:11-12, NIV)

Two scrapbooks lied open on the table before me at the fair. Their owners had picked their best pages to display for all to see. Pictures of family and friends filled the pages, showcasing significant moments and memories that the scrapbook creators held dear.

I thought about how special those scrapbooks were. Anytime their owners needed a reminder of good times, the scrapbooks would be there. They create a space for reflection and encouragement.

As the year comes to a close, not all of us have a scrapbook to look back on, but we still have an opportunity to look back on God’s faithfulness this past year.

For some of us, looking back at the year may be difficult. Perhaps it was a particularly painful year for you. It could have been filled with disappointments, trying circumstances, and heartache.

That’s even more reason to look back on God’s faithfulness.

The psalmist begins Psalm 77 on a despairing note. He’s in distress (v. 2), he’s troubled (v. 4), and he felt rejected (v. 7) and like God had withheld compassion from him (v. 9). Where was God’s faithfulness now?

Yet, instead of continually dwelling on his despair, the psalmist changes his tone. He remembers that God has been faithful in the past, choosing to reflect on how He miraculously delivered the Israelites from Egypt.

By remembering that God was faithful before, it encourages us to see that God will be faithful again. He can and does come through for us, even if we can’t currently see how.

As you reflect on your year, no matter how successful or trying it was, spend some time remembering God’s goodness. It’s there, no matter how hard you have to look for it.

Today’s Thoughts: How has God been faithful to you this past year? Is it easy or hard to see His goodness? How might remembering how God has come through for you in the past help you in the new year?