Ever had one of those days where everything seems to pile up, and you’re thinking, Is this the part where something good is supposed to happen? Maybe it’s been a challenging week, or you’re facing a situation that seems impossible to get through. It’s easy to feel like you’re stuck in survival mode, just trying to make it to the weekend, right? But that’s exactly what Michael Walker’s message from this past weekend, “Celebrating The Goodness and Faithfulness of God,” is all about—reminding ourselves that God’s goodness is always there, even when life feels like it’s running on empty.
Michael started off by sharing how we often forget God’s faithfulness when times get tough. It’s funny how when everything’s going smoothly, we say things like, “God is good all the time!” But when the road gets bumpy, we tend to say things like, “Why me, God?!” It’s easy to lose sight of how God’s been with us through it all. Michael had a great quote that really hits home: “We tend to forget about His goodness and faithfulness when we go through a trial or a challenge in life. We kind of revert back to our survival modes.”
That really got me thinking—how often do we focus on survival instead of God’s provision?
In Joshua 4:1-7, the Israelites were told to pick up stones from the Jordan River after God miraculously stopped the water so they could cross over. They were to use those stones to build a memorial as a reminder of God’s faithfulness, not just for them, but for future generations. It’s like God was saying, “Don’t just walk through this moment—remember it.“
Think about it: how many times have you gone through something difficult, only to realize later how God was working behind the scenes the entire time? In the moment, it’s hard to see, but when you look back, you can often pinpoint moments where His hand was guiding you. Sometimes, we need to set up our own “memorial stones”—maybe not actual rocks (unless you’re into that sort of thing), but reminders in our lives of when God showed up.
So, here’s a fun challenge: Do you have any “memorials” in your life—things that remind you of God’s faithfulness? It could be anything—a note in your journal, a picture, or maybe that one voicemail from a friend you’ve saved forever because it came at just the right time.
Michael also talked about how Church in the City started in a tiny storefront, right between a tattoo parlor and an S&M shop. I mean, talk about humble beginnings! But even then, God showed up in miraculous ways, providing everything they needed. Michael said, “If we do what’s on God’s heart, He’ll treat us gourmet style!” I love that—God doesn’t just show up; He shows up in a big way, sometimes even gourmet!
Can you relate? Maybe you’re not asking for gourmet, but you could use a solid meal, or just a little peace of mind. Yet God’s faithfulness often exceeds what we’re expecting.
When was the last time you “forgot” about God’s faithfulness during a tough season? How did you feel when you were reminded of it later?
Let’s pray: Father, thank You for Your unfailing goodness and faithfulness, even when we don’t see it. Forgive us for the times we forget how You’ve been with us every step of the way. Help us to trust You more, especially when life feels overwhelming. Teach us to set up “memorials” in our hearts to remember the times You showed up and carried us through, even when we didn’t realize it. Lord, whether we are in a season of peace or a season of challenge, remind us that You are always working behind the scenes. May we not just survive, but thrive, knowing that You are providing for us in ways we can’t even imagine. Give us the eyes to see Your hand in every situation and the faith to trust You, even when we feel like we’re in survival mode. And Lord, help us to laugh at the days to come, knowing that Your faithfulness is better than anything we could plan. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
God’s faithfulness doesn’t waver, even when we’re stuck in survival mode. Just like the Israelites set up stones to remember how God brought them through the Jordan River, we need to set reminders in our own lives of how God has shown up. And trust me, He’s probably working in ways you won’t see until later—but you’ll be glad you trusted Him in the meantime.
Call to Action: Consider sharing this devotional with someone who might need encouragement today. Check out the podcast replay of this message on your favorite podcast platform. Search for “CITCBA Insights” today. You can listen at churchinthecity.org/podcasts. And if you’re in the area, join us at Church in the City for one of our services. Our Saturday service at 10 a.m. has a Messianic theme, and our Sunday contemporary service starts at 10:45 a.m. Church in the City began as an outreach in the early 80s and became a church in 1991, dedicated to reflecting Christ in our community and the world.