Why is acknowledging God's deeds important for strengthening our faith? The Anchor Verse “We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks, for Your Name is near; the people declare Your wondrous works.” What the Verse Shows Us - Two actions stand side-by-side: giving thanks and declaring God’s works. - Both flow from the conviction that “Your Name is near”—God’s active, present character. - The verse assumes that remembering what God has done naturally fuels worship and testimony. Why Acknowledging God’s Deeds Strengthens Faith • Affirms God’s proven character – Psalm 103:2 “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” – Recalling specific mercies reminds us He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. • Builds confidence for present trials – 2 Corinthians 1:10 “He has delivered us… He will deliver us again.” – Past deliverances become evidence that current challenges are not beyond His reach. • Feeds the cycle of hearing and believing – Romans 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” – Our spoken testimonies supply “hearing” material for our own hearts and for others. • Strengthens the community’s corporate faith – Psalm 107:2 “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy.” – Personal stories of God’s works become communal memory, encouraging the whole body. • Overcomes spiritual opposition – Revelation 12:11 “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” – Declaring God’s deeds publicly pushes back doubt and accusation. Scripture’s Ongoing Call to Remember - Deuteronomy 4:9 – Guard your soul by making His deeds known “to your children and grandchildren.” - 1 Chronicles 16:12 – “Remember His wondrous works that He has done.” - Psalm 145:4 – “One generation will declare Your works to the next.” Practical Ways to Declare His Wondrous Works 1. Keep a written record: journal answered prayers and providences. 2. Incorporate testimony into family meals or gatherings: share recent evidences of grace. 3. Sing psalms and hymns that recount biblical history (e.g., Psalm 136). 4. Speak up in church: use opportunities for public testimony or small-group sharing. 5. Celebrate anniversaries of God’s interventions—mark them as spiritual holidays. 6. Teach children the stories behind family milestones: “This is what the Lord did for us.” 7. Post Scripture and reminders around the home where eyes will meet them daily. A Faith-Strengthening Habit Every time we intentionally remember and voice what God has done, we plant another stake in the ground of trust. Yesterday’s mercies become today’s assurance and tomorrow’s expectation. In line with Psalm 75:1, thanksgiving and testimony keep God’s nearness fresh, make faith tangible, and invite others into the same confidence. |
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