Not always hearing clearly or correctly, I often ask people to repeat what they have said. I need to know if what I thought that I heard is actually what they said. If there is something new to learn, I've needed it repeated several times to grasp it and try to understand it. Repetition is a good way to make sure that I have remembered something important. I sometimes even find myself repeating to myself a simple thing that I need to fetch from another room so that I don't get distracted with another thought.
When I was young, I was encouraged by a person with the Navigators to memorize Scripture by repetition. I was given a pocket-sized packet of Bible verses to carry, and I was challenged to spend time during little moments reading and reviewing and reading aloud again until I could recite them to myself. I still recall those verses that are stored away for the Holy Spirit to bring to mind again just when needed.
Psalm 119:11 – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (NIV)
Being forgetful can be very costly, especially in our daily encounters, with so many mixed messages shouting in our ears about who we are and what or who we can trust. Some messages are retold again and again. Children often hear an exasperated parent express something like, "How many times do I have to tell you?" In contrast, our heavenly Father has expressed and shown us in His Word, over and over and again and again, how His heart longs for us to understand His everlasting love. David's writing in the Psalms expresses a heart that is full of praise because he experienced God's amazing and everlasting love.
Psalm 117:2 – For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. (NIV)
Psalm 118:1-4 – Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let Israel say: "His love endures forever." Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever." Let those who fear the Lord say: "His love endures forever." (NIV)
If you didn't get the message in these verses, read Psalm 136, and you'll see it repeated twenty-six times! This is the good news that we all need to hear again and again, over and over. It is never old. It is full of joy for the world. Jesus came to deliver this enduring love to the world and to enter into our world and hearts as Emmanuel. Repeat the sounding joy! Our hearts thrill to hearing the old, old story of Jesus and His love whenever we hear the gospel repeated.
Can we repeat that story to others and share the excitement of this love that endures forever? That love provides us with a sure foundation for our life.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that Your faithfulness endures forever. Thank You for Your Word that is full of records of Your faithfulness to all generations. This is amazingly good news to hear over and over. Help us to repeat this news to those around us. We know that we can trust You in all things. You never fail us. Please strengthen our faith as we daily give all our cares into Your hands. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.