Forget Not All His Benefits…

 

Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God.”—Numbers 15:37-41

This section of Scripture really appealed to me because I like to wear or have things around me that point me to Christ and help me to set my mind on things above.  I often wear thin leather Scripture bracelets that help me to do just that. The tassels that the children of Israel wore were small flashes of blue thread on the corners of their garment that reminded the wearer that they belonged to God and were to be holy as He was holy. Provision had just been made for pardoning sins done in ignorance. Now we see God making a provision to help His children remember not to sin so they could maintain their fellowship with Him. 

As a father pities his children,

So the LORD pities those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.—Psalm 103:13-14

As a believer I have the inward witness of Spirit of God living inside of me who testifies with my spirit that I am His child.  But here is the thing I know about me…Spiritually I leak. My flesh is weak!  I need reminders!  So, aside from wearing a scripture bracelet, here is what else helps me to keep my mind stayed on Him. 

First and foremost is His word hidden in my heart. As I daily abide in it and meditate on it the Spirit graciously brings it to mind when it is needed and uses it not only to set my mind on things above but also to direct my steps into His perfect way.

How can a young man cleanse his way?

By taking heed according to Your word.

With my whole heart I have sought You;

Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You.—Psalm 119:9-11

When I am outside, His creation brings me joy and points me to Him. The blue sky for instance reminds me that I am His and am headed for heaven. This world is not my home. When I am inside I see my loved ones and am thankful for his goodness in giving them to me. When I eat, I see His gracious provision. Even when I look at my problems I can remember that He is my burden bearer. He is the One who bids me to come.  Truly, His lovingkindness is always before my eyes.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”—Matthew 11:28-30

Ann Voskamp, a Christian author, inks a cross on her wrist to remind her to live her time here on earth as Jesus lived…broken and given.  I like that.  Living that way makes the everywhere present Christ visibly present for all to see. 

Remembering Christ, staying my mind on Him, and meditating on His word during the day remind me of my need to trust Him and obey His commands. Setting my mind on Him and things above also heals my heart and calms my anxieties because He Himself is my peace. When I do these things, I invite Him into every part of “my” life and make everything in “my” life about Him. I literally weave Christ into the very fabric of who I am and what I do. 

Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,

And revive me in Your way.— Psalm 119: 37

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.—Deuteronomy 6:4-9

and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."—1 Corinthians 11:24-25

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”—Ps. 103:2