What do you need to remember today?

“Hey, do you remember when…?”

               Some of the greatest stories begin with this question. Remembering is how we identify who we are in this great big world, and it places our story in context with others who know and love. Maybe it was a memory of an afternoon of play spent with a child or grandchild. Or maybe it was a romantic evening spent with a spouse. Good memories are treasures that we keep locked away, treasures that can be opened up whenever we want, and handled carefully and at leisure, and then gently put back in their place until we want to recall them again later on.

               Remembering is a good thing. Remembering is important to us. And remembering is important to God also. Throughout the Old Testament when God would move in a mighty way on behalf of his people, he would instruct them to build an alter, or erect some stones, or do something so that they would remember what it was that he had done. Joshua Chapter 4 is a great illustration of this, where a stack of twelve stones was used to help generations remember a specific event.

               But we don’t always remember good things, do we?

               Sometimes the events that we remember brings back feelings of pain and hurt. These memories are not beautiful treasures, they are poison of the heart and soul. And every time we recall them from their dark place of dwelling they come all too quickly, and with ever increasing ease.  Maybe it was a memory of a past betrayal, perhaps one you thought you had forgiven, but the thought of it makes your stomach twinge in pain and your heart race faster. Maybe it was the death of a loved one, even with everyone telling you how she was in a better place now and not in pain anymore, but the memory of standing under the funeral home tent with the cold metal coffin in front of you wasn’t comforting. And that memory still hurts. Maybe it was the day you sat in the doctor’s office with a numbing sensation stretching over your body as you tried to focus in on his words…”terminal”…”inoperable”…

               Sometimes just a pleasant smell reminds me of a wonderful memory. But sometimes just the way the wind is blowing might remind me of something painful.

               Deuteronomy Chapter 7 is a great place to focus on for my memories. In this chapter of the Bible, the Israelite people are getting ready to take the “Promised Land” that God had promised to them. But there were a couple of problems for them. First, Moses, the man who had been leading them for the past 40 years, the man who had been in direct conversation with God for them, the man they trusted and revered, wasn’t going to live much longer. And second, the land God had brought them to wasn’t vacant, it was occupied by some really big and powerful armies.

               So, as the people started to stress out a little bit, Moses said “do not be afraid…remember well what the Lord your God did…you saw with your own eyes the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm (of the Lord)…the Lord your God, who is among you, I a great and awesome God.”  (Deuteronomy 7:17-21 excerpts)

               God wants us to remember. Remember what he has done in the past. Because remembering God’s mighty acts and faithfulness of yesterday will help us to rely and trust God today.

               Asaph, the possible writer of the 77^th Psalm, wrote during a time of great personal distress, wondering if God had forgotten all about him.

               “Will God never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed? Has God forgotten me?” (Psalm 77:7-9 excerpts)

               But then Asaph remembered.

               “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes I will remember the miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on your mighty deeds. You are the God who performs miracles!” (Psalm 77:11-14 excerpts)

               God has been with you before, in the good times and in the bad. In the times where your heart was so overflowing with joy you felt like it would just burst from it all. And in the times where your heart felt so broken and shattered that seemingly nothing could offer solace or comfort. But God was there, he brought you through this before, and he is faithful to do it again.

               What is it that you need to remember today?