History is a pretty cool thing. Last week at church we found this old log book in a cabinet. The earliest entry was from 1869. It had the membership rolls of people who were part of my church LONG before I was here. It really reminded me of the importance of remembering. The Bible is filled with passages about the importance of remembering. It is something God does:
Genesis 9:15 – I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.
Genesis 19:29 – So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.
Exodus 33:13 – If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”
He remembers. He has not forgotten us. He knows who we are and where we come from. His memory keeps us close to him. Like God, we are supposed to remember.
Exodus 20:8 – “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”
Matthew 16:9 – Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
To remember something is to keep in in mind. When something is part of your memory it affects what you know, and what you know affects what you do. God’s activity and behavior is supposed to be always on our mind – in our memory. It keeps us aligned with him. When we forget him is when we start to slip away. Remembering keeps us on a godly path.
One of my favorite “remember” passages is from Revelation 2:5 ~
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Knowing where we come from is important. It keeps us focused. It tells us why where here and where we’re going. Today I encourage you to remember. Remember your first experience and encounter with God – what did you feel? What did you think? What did that encounter compel you to do? Have you changed? Have you forgotten?
Remember, and let what you know affect what you do.
Remember.
Chris Linzey 