The Power of Remembering Who He Is

Jesus had just finished feeding the multitude with a little boy's lunch. It was an incredible miracle. Five thousand men plus women and children, sitting down in ranks by hundreds and fifties, eating until they were filled and all from five loaves and two fishes. As if that wasn't enough, there were twelve baskets full of leftovers (Mark 6:40-44)!
 
Shortly after, Jesus "constrained His disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while He sent away the people. And when He had sent them away, He departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and He alone on the land" (vv.45-47, KJV). According to the narrative, not only was the ship in the midst of the sea but there was a contrary wind and the men were experiencing much difficulty. By this time it was the fourth watch, somewhere between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., and Jesus, walking on the water, went out to them "and would have passed by them. But when they saw Him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw Him, and were troubled. And immediately He talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And He went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered" (vv. 48b-51).
 
What did they wonder about? They were in awe and wonder of Him that was among them. He had walked on water and the minute He came into the ship, the storm had ceased! "Amazed in themselves beyond measure" suggests being in a state of ecstasy "as if it were a new and unaccountable thing, as if Christ had never done the like before, and they had no reason to expect He should do it now" (Matthew Henry). But then Mark added a compelling sentence: "For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened" (v. 52).  In other words, they had forgotten what Jesus had done before!
 
Isn't that so much like some of us? When we are confronted with challenging situations, we are in awe when God comes through for us. It is as if we have forgotten who He is and the miraculous works of His hand, not just in the Scriptures but also in our day-to-day lives. Whatever we are going through, we ought to remember that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and so what He has done before, He can do again.  There are no limits to His power; no circumstances too difficult for Him to handle. We are never too far our for Him to reach; He will walk on water if He must. Our challenge is to remember or we risk entering into states of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty.  On the other hand, remembering who He is and what He has done provides us with assurance and comfort.  Not only does it change our perspective in our circumstance, but we will walk in expectancy that He will do for us all He says He can and will do.
 
How much of who He is, what He has done and what He is capable of doing do you know? How much of it do you remember?