Psalm 85:2-4
You have favored, O LORD, your land; you have brought back the captives of Jacob. You have forgiven the guilt of your people; you have covered all their sins. You have withdrawn all your wrath; you have revoked your burning anger.
My grandfather has dementia. He has good days and bad days. On the bad he calls the police. On the good he enjoys a bowl of ice cream and a show. On our most recent visit I asked him if he knew how old he was. He said, "80?" I said, "Nope! You're 90!" His typical response is, "Oh my achin' back!" Then he'll tell me that he's perfect. Agreed.
God does not have dementia. He doesn't have a bad memory even. He knows who He is and what He has done. Yet we read verses like this throughout the psalms and the rest of scripture.
Remember the Stuart Smalley sketch? In his "Daily Affirmation" he looks in the mirror and says, "I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And doggonit, people like me!" Sometimes saying something out loud is how we can really come to embrace and accept it. It's easy to forget the truth when there are a lot of lies milling about.
So next time you feel afraid or unsure speak words of truth about our Father out loud. It will jog your memory and strengthen your faith in the best possible way.
