“I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”
Psalm 9:1–2
One of the easiest things to do when life becomes busy or difficult is to forget what God has already done.
We pray for an answer. We ask the Lord to provide, to heal, to give wisdom, or to open a door that seems impossible. Then, when He answers, our hearts are filled with gratitude. But before long, another challenge comes along, another prayer takes its place, and our attention shifts to what we still need instead of what God has already done.
That is why I love how David begins Psalm 9. He makes a deliberate decision:
“I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds.”
Notice that David doesn’t simply remember God’s faithfulness quietly in his own heart. He speaks about it. He tells others what the Lord has done. I believe there is great wisdom in that.
Throughout the Bible, God continually called His people to remember. Israel was told to teach each generation about the Lord’s mighty acts. Memorial stones were placed beside the Jordan River so that children would ask, “What do these stones mean?”
The feasts of Israel were established so His people would never forget His faithfulness from one generation to the next.
God knows something about us. He knows how quickly we forget.
We remember today’s problems far more easily than yesterday’s miracles.
That is why our testimony matters.
When we begin speaking about God’s goodness, something happens inside us. We stop looking only at the circumstances in front of us and begin remembering the God who has carried us all along. We remember His provision. We remember His peace. We remember the prayers He answered when there seemed to be no answer. We remember the doors He opened when everything appeared closed. As we remember, our faith begins to grow again.
I have seen this so many times over the years. Someone begins sharing what God has done in their life, and before long, everyone listening is encouraged. Hope begins to rise. Faith is strengthened. Hearts are reminded that the God of the Bible has not changed.
Sometimes we think our testimony has to be dramatic before it is worth sharing. But that isn’t true.
Perhaps the Lord gave you peace during a difficult season. Perhaps He provided exactly what your family needed at the right moment. Perhaps He restored a relationship, gave you strength when you felt weak, or simply reminded you that you were not alone. Those are wonderful works too.
Every answer to prayer, every act of His kindness, every expression of His faithfulness points us back to the goodness of our Heavenly Father. There is no testimony that is too small when it brings glory to His name.
Here in Israel, we have the privilege of witnessing God’s faithfulness every single week. We rejoice when someone discovers the hope of Yeshua for the first time. We celebrate when new immigrants begin building a new life in the Land of Israel. We thank God when families receive practical help exactly when they need it most, or when someone walks through the doors of our congregation searching for hope and leaves knowing they are loved by God.
These are not simply ministry stories. They are reminders that our God is alive, that He is still moving among His people, and that His faithfulness has never changed. The same God who is working here in Israel is working in your life as well.
Perhaps your story looks different. Perhaps you are waiting for a breakthrough, praying for someone you love, or trusting God for direction. Let me encourage you today: do not overlook the ways He has already been faithful. Sometimes the greatest encouragement for tomorrow comes from remembering yesterday.
David continues by saying,
“I will be glad and rejoice in You.”
I don’t believe David is saying his life was free from difficulties. We know it wasn’t. He experienced battles, disappointments, betrayal, and hardship. Yet in the middle of it all, he chose to rejoice in the Lord because his joy was rooted in God’s character, not in his circumstances.
The same is true for us. When we remember God’s faithfulness, joy begins to replace discouragement. Gratitude begins to overcome anxiety. Worship rises naturally because our eyes are lifted above our circumstances and fixed once again on the One who never changes.
That is why David finishes by saying,
“I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”
Thanksgiving leads to testimony. Testimony leads to joy. Joy leads to worship. They all belong together.
As we enter this Shabbat, I want to encourage you to do something simple. Take a few moments to remember. Remember the prayers God has answered. Remember the moments He protected you, provided for you, comforted you, or carried you when you could not carry yourself. Then tell someone about it. Share it with your spouse. Tell your children around the Shabbat table. Encourage a friend. You never know how your testimony may strengthen another person’s faith.
And as you speak about His wonderful works, I believe something beautiful will happen in your own heart as well. Your faith will be renewed. Your hope will grow stronger. Your eyes will once again be fixed on the God who has never failed you.
The God who was faithful yesterday will be faithful tomorrow, because He never changes.
May your home be filled with thanksgiving, your heart with joy, and your lips with praise as you celebrate His goodness this Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom,
Pastor Israel Pochtar
