Don’t Forget to Remember!
Lately, I’ve been digitising old video tapes from when my children were young. It’s amazing how so many memories are stored on those little tapes. I’m looking forward to showing them to my eldest, especially to point out how much his daughter takes after him—not just in looks, but in her personality, expressions, and endless energy! As I watch, I see moments I don’t even remember. I was there, of course, but as many parents know, life can sometimes feel like a blur. Still, these moments are saved forever as reminders of my past.
There are also videos of family members who have passed away. Seeing them talk, laugh, and play with the children is a touching reminder of those who came before me and offered encouragement, support, and guidance throughout my life.
In the book of Exodus, we can read about the deliverance of the people of Israel from the Egyptians. This is a new start for them, no longer slaves but free. At the beginning of Chapter 13, God gives them instructions to “remember” what He has done by celebrating the Feast of Unleavened Bread each year.
“For with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt. You shall therefore keep this statute at its appointed time from year to year.” Exodus 13:9-10 (English Standard Version).
God wants them to remember what they have been rescued from and celebrate His deliverance. This remembering and celebrating will help to keep God at the forefront of their minds as they live in their new land.
When things are going well, it’s all too easy to forget God, and when things go poorly, it’s easy to doubt God. So He calls them to remember, not forget, His past faithfulness, not doubt. Focusing on His heart and His character is how we set our hearts right, no matter what has got us off track – good times or bad times. And by remembering what He has done, we remember His character.
My videos remind me of special events and occasions in my life. However, many others have not been documented–times when God has felt incredibly close, when He has carried me through a particularly rough time, when His power has been on display, when He has achieved what I thought was impossible and when He has miraculously provided for me.
CHALLENGE
There are many of these moments in each of our lives, so take a few minutes to sit with God and ask Him to remind you of times when a particular aspect of His character was on display to you.
Write them down in a diary, and at the start of each year, transfer them to your new diary and celebrate those moments. The more we do this, the more we begin to realise that God is moving in our lives, so when life gets tough, we can remember and celebrate these times to keep God at the forefront of our minds.
It’s a simple CHANGE that can have a big impact on our lives, not only on how we view ourselves, but also on how we recognise and respond to God’s constant presence with us.
QUESTIONS
In what ways will choosing to remember and celebrate how God has been at work in your life, change your outlook on life?
Within 4 Chapters of Exodus, 12-15, the people of Israel have escaped Egypt, miraculously crossed the Red Sea and watched God destroy the Egyptians. They burst into song, celebrating God’s goodness and declaring His character. And then immediately grumble against Moses about bitter water! Life is a rollercoaster! We so easily forget! In what other ways can we regularly remind ourselves of God’s goodness so that we can keep God at the forefront of our minds?
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