Applying Past Experiences of God's Provision and Rescue
Applying Past Experiences of God's Provision and Rescue
The biblical concept of applying past experiences of God's provision and rescue is rooted in the idea that remembering God's past faithfulness can strengthen faith and hope for the future. The Psalmist reflects on past experiences, pouring out his soul in remembrance of how he used to go with the crowd to God's house with joy and praise (Psalms 42:4) [4].
This theme is echoed in various biblical passages, where believers are encouraged to recall God's past deliverances and provisions. For instance, the Psalmist says, "These are the things I remember; I pour out my soul" (Psalms 42:4). Job expresses a similar sentiment, longing to be as he was in times past when God preserved him (Job 29:2) [2].
The practice of recalling past experiences of God's provision is seen as a means of strengthening faith and hope. According to Romans 5:4, "waiting gives experience; and experience, hope" [3]. This experience is not limited to personal experiences but also includes the collective experiences of the community of faith. The Psalmist invokes divine guidance based on God's "gracious ways of dealing and faithfulness" in the past (Psalms 25:4) [7].
In the view of some Protestant interpreters, such as Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, past experiences of God's deliverance serve as a ground for trust in God's future provision. They note that the Psalmist's question in Psalms 56:13 "implies an affirmative answer, drawn from past experience" [5]. Similarly, the prophet Isaiah reflects on God's past faithfulness to inspire prayer for present rescue (Isaiah 63:15) [6].
The application of past experiences is not merely nostalgic but is meant to inform and shape the present and future. According to John Gill, remembering God's works of creation, providence, and redemption can "serve to strengthen his faith, that he would not cast him off for ever" (Psalms 77:11) [8]. This remembrance is a means of exercising faith and patience, which in turn enlarges one's "stock and fund of experience" (Romans 5:4) [9].
The biblical emphasis on recalling past experiences of God's provision and rescue underscores the importance of memory in the life of faith. By remembering God's past faithfulness, believers can cultivate hope and trust in God's ongoing provision and rescue. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, waiting upon God is grounded in His past provision and salvation, including His role as the Giver of all temporal blessings (Psalm 104:27,28; Psalm 145:15,16) [1].
The practice of applying past experiences of God's provision and rescue is thus a vital aspect of biblical spirituality, enabling believers to navigate the challenges of the present with confidence in God's faithfulness.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Waiting Upon God — As the God of providence -- Jer 14:22. As the God of salvation -- Ps 25:5. As the Giver of all temporal blessings -- Ps 104:27,28; Ps 145:15,16. For Mercy. -- Ps 123:2. Pardon. -- Ps 39:7,8. The consolation of Israel. -- Lu 2:25. Salvation. -- Ge 49:18; Ps 62:1,2. Guidance and teaching. -- Ps 25:5. Protection. -- Ps 33:20; 59:9,10. The fulfillment of His word. -- Hab 2:3. The fulfillment of His promises. -- Ac 1:4. Hope of righteous by faith. -- Ga 5:5. Coming of Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 1Th 1:10. Is good -- Ps 52:9. God calls us to -- Zep 3:8. Exhortat”
- Job “Job 29:2 (Geneva1599) — Oh that I were as in times past, when God preserued me!”
- Romans “Romans 5:4 (BBE) — And waiting gives experience; and experience, hope:”
- Psalms “These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I used to go with the crowd, and led them to God’s house, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping a holy day. -- Psalms 42:4”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 56:13: The question implies an affirmative answer, drawn from past experience. falling--as from a precipice. before God--in His favor during life. Next: Psalms Chapter 57”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 63:15: 63:15–64:12 The prophet’s reflections on the past (63:7-14) inspire him to pray that God would now rescue his people as he has done before.”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 25:4: On the ground of former favor, he invokes divine guidance, according to God's gracious ways of dealing and faithfulness.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 77:11: I will remember the works of the Lord,.... His works of creation and providence, his government of the world, and particularly his regard for his own people, and his preservation of them, especially the people of Israel, whom he had not cast off, nor would and so might serve to strengthen his faith, that he would not cast him off for ever: and in like manner, what God has done for his people in a way of grace, in their redemption by Christ, and in a work of grace upon their souls, may be improved to the removing of doubts and fears, and unbelief, and for the strength”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 5:4: And patience experience,.... As tribulations tend to exercise and increase patience, so patience being exercised and increased, enlarges the saints' stock and fund of experience; of the love and grace of God communicated to them at such seasons; of his faithfulness in fulfilling his promises; of his power in supporting them; and of their own frailty and weakness; and so are taught humility, thankfulness, and resignation to the will of God: and experience, hope; hope is a gift of God's grace, and is implanted in regeneration, but abounds, increases, and becomes more s”