“A good memory makes heroes.”

A thought by Max Lucado (2013-04-29) from his book, Facing Your Giants: God Still Does the Impossible (p. 166). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

A memory based on the good things that have happened in my past has a lot to do with the way I see today.  That is one of the reasons why I start my morning prayer with thanks to God for what He did for me yesterday.  It reinforces the good in my life and it gives me confidence.

We are looking here at how David handled the Goliath in his life.  Max says, “Goliath jogged David’s memory. Elah was a déjà vu. While everyone else quivered, David remembered. God had given him strength to wrestle a lion and strong-arm a bear. Wouldn’t he do the same with the giant?”

In 1 Samuel 17: 34– 36 David is talking to King Saul.  He says, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”

1 Chronicles 16: 12 says, “Remember His marvelous works which He has done”

Max then says, “Catalog God’s successes. Keep a list of his world records. Has he not walked you through high waters? Proven to be faithful? Have you not known his provision? How many nights have you gone to bed hungry? Mornings awakened in the cold? He has made roadkill out of your enemies. Write today’s worries in sand. Chisel yesterday’s victories in stone.”

David defeated his giant by first picking up five stones.  This first stone for us to pick up to defeat our giant is the stone of the past. 

Max says, “A good memory makes heroes.”  He then says, “A bad memory makes wimps.”

So, which memories are you going to hold on to?