“And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them” (PSALM 78:11).”

A minister was addressing a group of men. He took a large piece of paper and made a black spot in the centre of it with a marking pen. Then, he held up the paper and asked the group what they saw. One person quickly replied, “I see a black mark”. “Right,” the preacher replied. “What else do you see?” Complete silence prevailed. “Don’t you see anything other than the black spot?” he asked. A chorus of “No” came from the audience. “I’m surprised,” the speaker commented. “You have overlooked the most important thing of all – the bigger white space on the paper”.

The children of Ephraim, though armed and carrying weapons of war, turned back in the day of battle. According to the text, they forgot God’s work and wonders that He had shown them; marvellous things He did in the sight of their fathers: dividing the Red Sea for them to pass through, leading them by cloud in the day and fire by night, water from the rocks in the wilderness. Yet, they sinned the more and provoked God, tempting Him in their hearts by asking meat for their lust. Ephraim turned back in the day of battle because they doubted the power of God to give them victory over their enemies. They forgot and refused to see all around them the works and wonders of God just like the minister’s congregation in our story concentrated on the spot in the paper.

In life, many are often distracted by small disappointments and forget the innumerable blessings they receive from the Lord. The good things in life are overwhelmed by the adversities that monopolize man’s attention. Rather than concentrate on the trials of life, you should fix your attention on God’s blessings (Psalm 103:2-5).

You must learn to see and name your blessings regularly, praising God for them and for those yet to be realised. Never get distracted by life’s little “spots”.

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