Marking Days and Times

He made the moon to mark the seasons. (Psalm 104:19, ESV)

God put many things in place to mark times and seasons. The Israelites had many times that they marked as festival times or even those times that were not necessarily festive but impactful and eventful. Marking times is good for us especially when what has happened should be remembered and revisited in some way. Abraham and others often marked a spot where God spoke with him and every time he returned to that spot, or another generation came to it they knew the significance. God never has us mark a season or time just for the sake of returning in our mind, but always for purpose and not just to remember the festivity or tragedy but especially for remembering how he has been with us and stayed with us, how he has delivered us and kept us.   

Today is one of those occasions. Its not a festive time, but certainly a time that causes us to stop and remember. Certainly, those who were most directly impacted will remember their loved ones and friends that are no longer with them, but maybe feeling blessed by God and carried by him just to have survived so much grief and trauma. And that is one thing we can all have in common whenever we are marking a time or event, remembering the goodness of God, the love of God, the continued care of God, the deliverance of God, the provision and healing of God who does not change no matter what season we are in or time we have marked. Events may change, the reasons we are reflecting on a time gone by may change, but God never changes. He always remains faithful and loving. Let’s Pray  

Dear God, today is a solemn day and for many a difficult, hard, and grieving day. Thank you for carrying us through and getting us over so many seasons and times that we may not be able to categorize as festive, but they still fit into the category and remembrance of being cared for by you. Amen

Questions for Soul-Tending:

Is there someone in particular that comes to mind as you look back on 9/11?

Can you say you are stronger or on path of healing twenty years later?

How will you incorporate today’s message into your plan of self-care?