Have you ever felt hopeless? Or maybe the better question is, when was the last time you felt hopeless? Perhaps you are walking through that struggle even now. The circumstances around you seem bleak, the path ahead appears unclear, and hope feels distant. You are trying to walk in obedience, yet you cannot quite see where the next step leads. What do you do when the path forward feels uncertain? Where do you turn when weariness settles in and discouragement whispers that it may be easier to give up?

Faithful obedience is not always easy. In fact, more often than not, it is difficult. We would all prefer a clearly marked road with flashing signs assuring us that we are headed in the right direction. Sometimes, God graciously provides clarity that way, but faithful obedience often feels much quieter. At times it feels lonely, uncertain, and even discouraging. Doubt creeps in, progress feels slow, and the wilderness seems to stretch on longer than expected. How do we stay the course?

We remember.

Tassels of Remembrance

In Numbers 15:37–41, God instructs the Israelites to wear tassels with blue cords on the corners of their outer garments as visible reminders of His commandments and His faithfulness as they keep walking. He knew how easily His people would forget, especially on the long journey to the Promised Land. He knew a physical marker of remembrance would encourage them on the way.

While we are unfamiliar with cords, tassels, and old covenant practices, are we not also wilderness people on a journey? We, too, need reminders that call our hearts back to remember who God is, what He has done, and what He has promised to do. It’s much easier to recall the Red Sea moments that display God’s power, but we so easily forget the quiet reminders of His kindness in the everyday moments of our lives. Remembering His blessings, both big and small, reminds our hearts of how faithfully He has sustained us before so that we can trust Him today and again tomorrow.

Where might you need to tie a tassel of remembrance as a reminder to trust in God on the long journey?

Practices like prayer journaling can become such gifts of grace. Writing down our prayers then returning to those journal pages days, months, or even years later helps us remember answered prayers, moments of provision, and seasons God carried us when we could not see the way forward. We are forgetful people, and in remembering answered prayer, our hearts are refocused. We are reminded to pray in full dependence on God, moved again toward praise, and strengthened to continue walking by faith even when the journey feels uncertain. No matter how lost we feel, His character and commands are consistent.

Even in the wilderness, we are called to keep walking. Even when the path is unclear and we struggle to find the way forward, we can trust that God has already secured the Promised Land ahead. Remembering His faithfulness strengthens us to keep walking in faithful obedience, but we are not only called to keep walking—we are called to share about His faithfulness with others.

Remembering to Rejoice

Psalm 105 recounts God’s faithfulness to His people, tracing Israel’s history through song. God’s people are called to remember the faithfulness of the Lord and to respond in celebrations of praise to the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses—to the Lord, their God. Psalm 105:1–2 is a reminder to us all:

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the peoples!

Sing to him, sing praises to him;

tell of all his wondrous works!” (ESV).

Obeying each of the calls in these verses requires remembrance, for we are declaring what God has accomplished in the past.

We remember the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ and make known His work of reconciliation.

We remember His faithfulness and sing praises to Him in response.

We remember the help and hope we receive through Christ as we seek obedience, and we tell of how the Holy Spirit has sanctified us.

And through it all, we continuously voice gratitude and thanksgiving to Him for who He is and what He has done.

Recounting God’s Faithfulness

Remembering strengthens us for the road ahead. It revitalizes us for the future, granting us focus that is rooted in what is true of ourselves and of God. Remembering anchors us when our circumstances seem bleak. It steadies weary hearts and redirects our eyes from fear to faithfulness. When we intentionally recount God’s goodness, we are reminded that the same God who sustained His people in the wilderness still walks faithfully with His people today.

So in your own wilderness season, keep walking. Recount His faithfulness. Trust His kindness. Praise Him before the answers come. Remember that this world is not your home and that God has not abandoned you on the journey. The path may not always be clear, but His character always is. And because He is faithful, you can continue forward with hope.

Tie a tassel of remembrance and keep walking in faithful obedience. The Promised Land awaits.

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Author Bio

Ashley Reffit serves as the Women’s Leadership and Discipleship Consultant with N.C. Baptists. She has a deep passion for developing women who are rooted in God’s Word as they serve Christ and love others. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education at Southeastern Seminary. With a heart for investing in people, Ashley is dedicated to cultivating authentic community for the sake of the Church and the Great Commission

Additional Resources:

Faithful		He Leads Me Bible Study | Psalm 23		The Good Shepherd
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