“I remember the days of long ago. I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land” (Psalm 143:5-6).

*(9-minute read)

Many years ago I came across this term, “Memory Net.” I’ve not heard it used but once or twice over the decades, but I have intentionally made it part of my own strategy. The thought behind this term, Memory Net, helps bring to light how God has been faithful to you when those difficult times in life attempt to erase the realism of who God is and what He has done and is able to do for you (Jude 24-25).

When heaviness of a negative attitude wants to permeate your thinking and devour you, you have a choice: allow it to destroy you or stand up against it. Unfortunately, for many of us, when tough times arise we think we can handle it on our own…only to find that we get tired, exhausted, and eventually that negativity sets in and we’re done! The psalmist exemplifies this feeling when he says, “I cried out to God for help…When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted… I remembered you, Oh God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint! You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak” (Psalm 77:1-4. Italics mine). To the psalmist he could find no end-sight to his distress. He was no different than you or me. Sleep had evaded him and although he cried out to God with outstretched arms he could find no relief. His world became consumed with sorrow…until he recalls the God of his faith!

In the continuing verses we read that the psalmist instantly becomes engulfed with optimism. His hope in God once again is rekindled and we see a transformation. Positive thought is now emerging from what was initially lost direction, depression, and anguish. His heart is now mounting up with hopefulness as he recalls and reflects on God’s great ability to rescue.

The psalmist writes, “Then I thought, To this will I appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds” (Psalm 77:10-12. Bold mine). The benefit of this kind of thinking—your appeal to God is that you are able to draw great assurance and strength in the fact that the Lord never lingers. He always hears your heart’s prayers. He answers them accordingly. Our God never fails as he stands right along with you even as you find yourself lost along the road. Note the progressive optimism of hope and refreshment as the psalmist recalls each experience and the good deeds of the Lord…this is his Memory Net.

Let’s follow some biblical characters who left us such great examples of perseverance, resolve, and determination when they were found pressured by life. First there’s Joseph (Genesis 39:20,21,23), one of 12 brothers who was bitterly despised by them, sold into slavery, sat in a dungeon, and falsely accused more than once—but he relied on his memory net of how his mighty God delivers. Or the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 11:20-28) who tells us of his many significant beatings he endured for preaching the Gospel—yet, he relied on his memory net of how his mighty God delivers! Or Samson (Judges 16:25-30), who was blinded by his enemies because of the consequence of his sin and the revealing of his secret God had given him— in the end he relied on his memory net of how his mighty God delivers! Think about Peter and the Apostles (Acts 5:25-42) who were flogged for their faith and told not to preach Jesus any more, but upon being released they immediately went out and told lost souls about their Savior—they relied on their memory net of how their mighty God delivers! And what about Esther (Esther 4:15-16) when she was willing to go before the king and revealed a plot to kill all of God’s people? Her words were, “If I perish, I perish”—she relied on her memory net of how her mighty God delivers! Then there’s Nehemiah who knew with confidence his God walked before him whenever he faced great opposition as he rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 4:4-5). During his attacks and verbal mocking from his enemies he relied on his memory net of how his mighty God delivers!

Don’t let God’s supernatural deeds and intervention be forgotten. This is how the biblical heroes and believers today are able to endure the hardships of life by recalling God’s faithfulness in their life. Reflect on the way he commands his angels to meet your spiritual needs as a believer (Hebrews 1:14) as they silently surround you with their majestic unseen presence. God’s faithfulness in your life produces your ability to persevere and recall where you’ve been and all He has done for you—a memory net can give you a new lease on life—just when you need it most!

A. B. Simpson captures this thought by writing, “The pressure of hard places makes us value life. Every time our life is given back to us from such a trial, it is like a new beginning, and we learn better how much it is worth, and make more of it for God and man.”

We’re reminded by the Scriptures—

King David writes, “I remember the days of long ago. I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land” (Psalm 143:5-6).

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord (Psalm 117:2).

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12).

Praise the name of the Lord your God, who has done wondrously with you (Joel 2:26b).

There are positive outcomes for those who choose to recall God’s goodness and His times of intervention during difficult seasons. Journaling is one of the strongest foundations in your memory net. For me, I gain great satisfaction writing these posts. It’s my way of recalling the wondrous works He has done for me and my household. “Rejoice in all the good which the Lord your God has given to you and your house” (Deuteronomy 26:11). I write to preserve and record His good deeds for my children and their children to read down the road. Remembering God’s wondrous deeds brings me a joyous attitude that no trial of life can steal away.

Consider some benefits from creating a Memory Net:

1. We Remember That Our God Protects. Our Memory Net will remind you that whenever you are allowed to be brought into any position of difficulty—you may always count upon Him to deliver you. Anything that God allows you to be touched by had to first go through Him! This is when you learn to trust in His Son Jesus. Most of all, you serve an omniscient God who knows what’s coming your way and he is there to protect you—you just have to trust. “You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7).

2. His Love Is Poured Out. When the rains of difficulty and suffering fall upon you be sure to include in your Memory Net the reminder that with each small droplet of pain comes His love poured out into your heart. His love that is sure to produce an increased faith and godly character. “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:2-5). Let’s not run away from, or fear to seek after these godly traits that many times can only come through trial and suffering. When God is doing a good work in you it might come through a hard trial and testing, but no matter the difficulty, you’ll not be disappointed when you place your confidence and hope in the Lord.

3. Our Gratitude Is Restored. Memory Nets stir your soul with tears of gratitude as you recall the times the Lord has rescued you or your loved ones over and over again. You are stirred in your heart because he has never failed you. It’s not because you’re perfect, but because his love is perfect and unconditional. “You make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands” (Psalm 92:4).Research has now proven a number of benefits from a mindset of gratitude; and still, the greatest benefit is a contented soul in Christ.

4. We Trust That God’s Plan Is Best. When you see the storms of life brewing on the horizon, your Memory Net can cause you to see and appreciate the sanctity of life and the journey you’re on. Count the cost of your faith and treasure all He has given you. “He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” (Psalm 21:3). “Even difficult times are part of God’s plan. Sometimes, with the gift of hindsight, we catch a glimpse of his purpose later.” (Nancy Ruegg, The Power of Remembering)

In Psalm 77:19, the writer concludes his sanctifying experience when he writes, “Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.” Even though we don’t see his footprints when he works—He is there for you!

Maltbie D. Babcock leaves us with some treasured wisdom, “Pay little attention to discouragement as possible. Plough ahead as a steamer does, rough or smooth—rain or shine. To carry your cargo and make your port is the point.”

Over the years, the Lord has blessed me with a Memory Net that has shielded me through the heaviness of trials and suffering I have faced. With it I believe wholeheartedly that He has never let me down…why should I worry about tomorrow! He’s got this one for me—He always has! With Jesus beside me I don’t need to be anxious about what’s next. In the end, may it be said of my life—that he relied on his memory net of how his mighty God delivers!