My favorite Bible is the Revised English Version which often translates passages of scripture in ways that are somewhat different than more popular Bibles. This morning I was reading from Isaiah 40: 21-31 when the words “Do you not know, have you not heard, were you not told long ago?” popped out at me. I thought of how often I have to be reminded of what I already know about God.

I know that God moves in our lives in both mysterious and somewhat less than mysterious ways. I am confident (most of the time) that God’s love is real. When I look at my life I can point to times and places where I knew that God was not only present, but moving mountains that were in my path. I preach about a day I was going through a divorce, single parenting and choosing between rent money and food, when a person dropped by with a couple of bags of groceries. There are seasons, when I know God interceded on my behalf as I’ve lived  through a rough patch. What I don’t understand is why I forget those moments and times the next time I bump into a challenging situation.

Apparently, I’m not the first person who has a memory lapse when it comes to the goodness, compassion and faithfulness of God. Isaiah reminds a doubting people that God’s care and love is forever.

“Jacob, why do you complain,
and you, Israel, why do you say,
‘My lot is hidden from the Lord,
my cause goes unheeded by my God?’
Do you not know, have you not heard?
The Lord, the eternal God,
creator of earth’s farthest bounds,
does not weary or grow faint;
his understanding cannot be fathomed.
He gives vigor to the weary,
new strength to the exhausted.
Young men may grow weary and faint,
even the fittest may stumble and fall;
but those who look to the Lord will win new strength,
they will soar as on eagles’ wings;
they will run and not feel faint,
march on and not grow weary.” Isaiah 40:27-31 REB

Some days I just need to be reminded of what I already know.