I remember. I remember sitting
around with my family telling stories that lasted all night long. Literally. We
would stay up all night laughing as we remembered stories from our childhood;
birthdays, our favorite Christmas, or when our cousin Larry said, “That’s what
you said last time,” in response to his mom’s warning of “Do that again &
I’m going to spank you,” to which she promptly replied, “you’re right” and
spanked him right then. Oh memories! I
also remember my mom and grandpa telling stories of the civil rights movement. The “sit ins”
she participated in as a child. My grandfather’s marching with Dr. King. His
starting of the first African American radio station in the state of Iowa, KBBG
which is still going strong 35 years later!
Jimmie Porter 1931-2007
There is great power in
remembrance. We are to remember God, His Words to us, and all He has done.
Remembering and celebrating Him is to be revered as an important aspect of our
lives with God. While we experience joy in remembering it is not merely an
optional fun activity to partake of. It is an instruction given with a warning
from a loving God.
“Beware
that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His
commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you
today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built
beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and
your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all
that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget
the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the
house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible
wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty
land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty
rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not
know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in
the end— then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand
have gained me this wealth.’ Deuteronomy 8:11-17
God in His love and wisdom
established the art of remembering into the DNA of his people. He appointed
certain feasts throughout the year for the Israelites such as the Passover, the
Festival of First Fruits, and the Feast of Booths to name a few. Remembering and
celebrating God is to be an integral piece of our lives and an identifiable
birthmark upon our culture as children of God.
God instructs us to pass His
story on to our children. We see God the Father with His children the
Israelites; instructing them to remember.
As He led them out of slavery to make way for the Promised Land, over
and over these words were on His lips, “You
shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and
the Lord your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an
outstretched arm” Deuteronomy 5:15a
Much like the Israelites, we once were slaves and are now
either journeying to the Promised Land or learning how to live as free people
in the land of promise.
As I think about my life, I see
how those statements don’t happen as isolated events, but more of a weaving
throughout my daily life, moment to moment, experience by experience. I know
how easy it is for me to forget. In a moment where life’s circumstances dictate
that I should be worried or afraid. I choose to remember I once was a slave to
sin, but by a mighty hand and outstretched arm, the Lord brought me out. If He
can deliver me from the kingdom of darkness, He can provide monetarily for me,
take care of my children, or whatever I may be coming against! I choose to
remember and trust in that same God to deliver me today, that I first trusted
in 1995. It may not happen the way I would choose it to happen, but I trust in
God & that He is good. God I remember and celebrate you for what you have
done in my life as well as the lives of your people.
In our children’s ministries over
the next two weeks, our kids will choose to Remember & Celebrate all that
God has done. I encourage you to remember and share your story with your
children, a friend, or a stranger if the Lord leads. We need to pass on God’s
story that is being written through our lives just as the Israelites passed their
stories on of how Yahweh delivered them.
We look forward to the promises of God…
“And
you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who
gives you power to get wealth that He may establish His covenant which He swore
to your fathers as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18
I charge you to remember God and
all He has done in your life. Trust Him for wealth that surpasses financial
gain and enjoy the richness of life Jesus paid for you to receive.
