Focusing One's Memory

Scripture:
Today if you hear His voice,
    do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,
    and as in the day of Massah in the wilderness,
when your fathers tested Me and tried Me,
    though they had seen My deeds.
Psalm 95:7b-9

Observation: Through the psalmist, God explicitly calls for people to listen to his words and soften their hearts, recalling the failings of the wilderness generation as an example. God points out that generation had a hard heart, but even more to the point they challenged and doubted the capabilities and love of the Lord despite the fact they had personally witnessed all his miracles and wonders during the exodus.

Application: I find it hard sometimes today to soften my heart when I have not seen all the elements of God. I believe this is not an issue of faith, but an issue of mindfulness. I have faith in God, but I do not think through the proper context and thus do not apply God's love and might to every situation. Perhaps I am doubting God's ... willingness to be with me.

For in my life, my experience is focused on my failures. Every day, I fail some, and over my life I have failed innumerable times. It is easier for me to recall those times than to apply God's love and actions to my memory, though I absolutely know how he has acted in my life ... some every day, and over my life innumerable times.

This is the failure of my heart and my mind. I focus on the wrong things. To paraphrase Paul, I focus on that which I hate and fail to focus on that which I love.

Prayer: Abba, please take my hand. I repent of the actions in my life that prevent my daily walk with you. Help me to break cycles of anger and distrust. I do not wish for those elements in my life, but want a soft heart of joy, peace, and self control. Please, father, may I focus on your love and help this day and every day. Amen.