“…thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee… to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in His ways, and to fear him. For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land…. A land wherin…thou shalt not lack any thing in it…. When thou has eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee…

Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God…” –excerpts from Deuteronomy 8

At the edge of the promised land, the children of Israel were given a charge: a charge to not forget. Not to forget Jehovah, His workings on their behalf, and His commands for their lives in the Promised Land.

Many of you have probably already read a post from three years ago, A Legacy, A Trial, A Harp, and the Sovereignty of God. Well, today I would like to offer a brief sequel, specifically centered on “a harp.”

Following years of harp lessons and prayers, the Lord graciously provided a lovely pedal harp for me. This harp has been a special gift, opening up doors of opportunity for learning that have been barred in the past. But far more importantly, this harp has become a reminder of God’s everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) and never-failing mercy (Psalm 86:5).

As written so beautifully in Psalm 103, “…who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies… the LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy…He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east if from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust…the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him…bless the LORD, O my soul.”

Each day, the mercies of the LORD are new (Lamentations 3:22-23). How has He demonstrated this to you? And how do you plan to remember His gracious acts? “That the generation to come might know them, even the children that should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:” –Psalm 78:6-7

So with thankfulness to the LORD and my family, I have named this blessing in my life Merci Morgen. Merci is French for “Thank you;” Morgen is German for “Morning.” I am filled with gratitude to the LORD for His mercies; they are new every morning.

I want to remember, and not forget.

May you, also, be blessed as you call to remembrance the faithful loving-kindness of our God!

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