The Children of Israel Crossing the Jordan (illustration by Gustave Doré) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
They say the first two signs of aging are forgetfulness and… I seem to have forgotten the other.
As much as we love to crack jokes about aging and forgetfulness, the Word of God makes it very clear that remembrance is critical when it comes to the faith of Christianity.
Again and again, Israel was commanded to remember all that God had done for them (check out Deuteronomy 6, for example). They weren’t only commanded to remember, but to ensure that future generations would also know of God’s deliverance and provision.
When Abram entered the land of the Canaanites, God declared to him that He would give his offspring the land he stood upon (Genesis 12:7). Abram’s immediate reaction was to establish a point of remembrance. The Bible tells us that he built an altar there to the Lord.
As he and others passed by this site again in the future they couldn’t help but see the altar and remember why it was placed there.
We should recognize that it is easy to forget. No effort at all is required on our part to forget. By simply doing nothing, we ensure forgetfulness.
Remembering is much different. Abram built an altar, Joshua instructed the children of Israel to gather twelve stones (Joshua 4), and Jesus instituted the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. In all these is found the message to remember.
Still, forgetfulness is a very possible reality for every generation. Just consider the generation born after Joshua (Judges), or maybe take a glance toward today’s societies of western civilizations.
While commanded to teach them to remember, someone must ask the important question regarding our youth; “Are we instead teaching them to forget?” As stated, all that’s required for us to teach them this is to do nothing.
God is busy working in the lives of His children, and just as Abram, we need to busy our lives building memorials. How often do we make it known to our children, spouses, friends, and co-workers what God did for us today? Do we ever let others be aware of what He is doing?
Most importantly, when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, He did so with the command to remember Him.
The most influential memorial we can set up to honor our God is to give ourselves wholly to Him. He said, “I am come that you may have life (John 10:10).” The simple truth of the matter is that if you know Jesus, then He is your life! He’s not just a part that’s usable for your personal advantage… He is everything! He is life, and without Him, there is only death!
Lord, change our hearts to be a people You created to be your friends. Let us make our lives a memorial unto You!
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Fortunately God repeats himself… that we get it.. I can’t forget that about Him.
Amen to that good friend! Amen. God bless.
Reblogged this on From The Pews and commented:
How easy I forget…
I am very Blessed to have been brought to you by Resting In His Grace.
Please continue to share.
God Love You ♥
Oh, and I too am Sharing!
Thank you for the gracious words friend… and the reblog. May God bless you too as you seek and serve our Lord!
>> “remembrance is critical when it comes to the faith of Christianity”
So true.
# When I remember my miserable life before I met Christ, my heart goes out to those who do not know Him and I seek to reveal Him to them.
# When I remember His sacrifice for me, how can I do other than praise Him and serve Him wholeheartedly.
# When I remember the way He lead me through times of troubles, I want to help those enduring hard times to look to Him.
# When I remember . . . the list could go on and on.
It is so important to remember, but it is equally important to pass on memories of our experience with Him – to introduce His greatness, His love – and to allow Him to so live in us and shine through us, that people WILL see Him and the REALITY of His Being.
Amen good friend! Remembering made easy – – simply ackowledge all He has done for us… at the cross! What a Savior!
We often remember the joyful and good things and we tend to forget the worst that He has brought us through. We must remember the bitter and sweet lessons with thankfulness because without them we would not have known Him on a deeper and higher plane. Thank God for the memories that spur us on in faith and obedience.
So true good friend. As we walk with Him, through times of joy and trials, we find more and more that He is always there delivering and comforting us… making times to remember and proclaim His name. God bless.
Great post Mike. This is precisely why we need to always be thankful to God. Thankfulness should be a part of each persons daily prayer life. How bad your day, or week was matters not. There is always something to be thankful for. I myself begin with a few words of thanks each day when doing my “main” praying.
Remembering what Jesus has done for us is crucial. Communion is another great time of remembering and thankfulness, after all…with the blood of Christ, where exactly would we be?
Blessings to you my friend
Greg
Thanks Greg. You are right. We have every reason to be a thankful people. God bless, good friend.
Reblogged this on Resting in His Grace.