Remember Not to Forget
Remember not to forget! Have you ever needed help in that category? I know I have. Whether it is a string tied around my finger, putting a note on the steering wheel, or turning my hat around backwards, I need help remembering not to forget something. Don’t forget to pick up milk before you come home. Remember to drop off your suit coat at the cleaners. It’s trash day, are the containers out by the street? So many things that I need to remember are ultimately lost in my chaotic memory bank.
Israelites Forgot
Maybe that was the same problem the Israelites had after exiting Egypt! When reading through the Old Testament, it seems they needed something to help them to remember not to forget. Moses says, “Israel, remember this! The Lord… and the Lord alone… is our God. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Never forget these commands…” (Deuteronomy 6:4-6). It seems it did not take too long before they did forget. Then off on a sinful tangent until the Lord reeled them back in again.
I ponder, “why did they so often forget to remember?” Moses even tells them to “Tie these commands on your hands, bind them on your foreheads, and write them on your door frames” (Deuteronomy 6:8-9). Yet they still forgot that the Lord led them in the wilderness, gave them water from a rock, fed them manna, give them the power to succeed, and ultimately gave them a promise of being the chosen ones (Deuteronomy 8:15-18). I often have wondered how they could possibly forget. It is easy to read through Scripture and marvel at the mighty works of God and what He has done for mankind.
God Doesn’t Forget
Things that never should be forgotten but are. Then I realize I cannot even remember to get a gallon of milk. Do I also forget the things God has done for me? We are all guilty at times when things just aren’t going our way. Just like the Israelites. But when the chips are down, it becomes paramount to pull up your faith roots and remember how God has worked in your life. Remember all the times you have been blessed.
Not forgetting how you have been washed clean with the waters of Baptism and all Jesus has done for you on the cross. The one who forgives, heals, redeems, and gives you His steadfast love and mercy (Psalm 103:2-5). And most importantly of all is remembering not to forget that God will never forget you and I. He is always by our side. As Christians we know that God is always with us and that there is nowhere we can flee from His presence (Psalm 139:7-8). He gives us joy when we get discouraged (Psalm 16:11), refreshes us when we are weary (Acts 3:20), and takes away our fear when we are in deep waters (Isaiah 43:2). God will not forget you. He has engraved you on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:15-16).
Dear Lord, forgive me of my forgetfulness. Help me remember all You have done in the past so I can trust You completely with today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Deuteronomy 6:4-6
Deuteronomy 6:8-9
Deuteronomy 8:15-18
Psalm 103:2-5
Psalm 139:7-8
Psalm 16:11
Acts 3:20
Isaiah 43:2
Isaiah 49:15-16
— Phil
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Today’s Scripture
Deuteronomy 6:4-6
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
Deuteronomy 6:8-9
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 8:15-18
Remember the Lord your God
and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, 15 who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, 16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. 17 Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ 18 You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Psalm 103:2-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 139:7-8
Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
Psalm 16:11
11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Acts 3:20
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
Isaiah 43:2
Israel’s Only Savior
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 49:15-16
15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. 16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.