Can you remember your third birthday? How about the first time you crossed the street by yourself? Your first near-death experience? Your first real desperation for God’s intervention?
I think some of us will probably answer negatively to most of the questions above, and that’s okay. There are some things we don’t make much effort to commit to memory, and perhaps some things we don’t even think about as necessary to remember.
Think back though; there is probably at least one thing that you have placed great importance on for one reason or the other—positive or negative—and so decided that you will try not to forget. We have deemed these moments in our walks through life a worthy checkpoint on the journey.
Some people, on the other hand, will stress the importance of looking to the future and forgetting about the past. While there is truth in that in some instances, this cavalier attitude has nothing to do with supporting the Cleveland champions*, but rather shows a disregard for due reflection.
One saying comes to mind on this point:
“If you don’t know where you came from, how can you know where you’re going?”
Without proper reflection, how can you evaluate your progress? Without looking back at your past mistakes, how can you learn from them, and take steps to ensure you do not make them again?
This is not just a human opinion though; God also puts forward the importance of rememberance and reflection.
Often times in the Bible, God speaks through His Prophets and messengers and calls His people to recall to mind things that they—and by extension, we—are often prone to forget. Here is an example:
Deut. 8:2-5 – ‘Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey His commands. Yes, He humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good.’ (NLT)
Recalling to mind our sinful disposition that led to our wretched condition, God’s grace and mercy in our salvation, and His promise of a glorified eternity with Him serve as encouragements to not only stay away from our former ways of life, but to also run the race of godliness with renewed zeal.
Phil. 3:1 – ‘…Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.’ (NASB)
Jonah 2:7 – ‘“While I was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple.’ (NASB)
Lam. 3:21-23 – ‘This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.’ (NASB)
Isa. 46:8-9 – ‘“Remember this, and be assured; recall it to mind, you transgressors.
“Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me,’ (NASB)
The Application
For God’s people, memories and truths serve as little Ebenezers (1 Sam. 7:12) to draw our attention to God and His hand in our lives. They are points that encourage repentance, worship, and better relations with others in light of the grace and mercy we have received. This is why we are called not to forget them, for we are so prone to get clouded by our striving for today and our stressing for tomorrow.
The believer should take time to consider what God has done in his or her life (Ps. 40:5; Ps. 103:1-2; Ps. 116:7)—not only the high points that His favour grants, but also the testing times that His hand provides for our learning and growth.
The unbeliever should consider the mercies, goodness, and patience of God in his or her life, and realize these are meant to prompt repentance from sin and faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Never get beyond the Gospel; be reminded daily of the overwhelming weight of love that has been shown to us. With this in mind, we have a firm foundation to stand on, whatever comes our way.
2 Pet. 1:12-15 – ‘…Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live. For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life, so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.’ (NLT)
*The Cleveland Cavaliers is a basketball team that won the NBA title in 2016.
