The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

THE IMPORTANCE OF REMEMBERING

Throughout Scripture, remembering is a major theme. Authors constantly reminded God’s people to remember his faithfulness. The nations were admonished to remember the Lord and turn to him (Ps 22:27). In contrast, the Lord was petitioned to not remember sins and show instead his goodness and pour out his blessing (Ps 25:6 – 7). Among God’s people the failure to remember results in cyclical patterns of sin and rebellion (Isa 57:11). When the people forgot God — both his character and his past faithfulness to the nation — they were prone to a host of sins. Most specifically, the people of God pursued the idolatry of the surrounding nations.

False gods seemed more tangible, more concrete and more immediate. One could see and touch these false gods. Ironically, though these gods had a material substance, they could not speak or act on behalf of the people. Yahweh, in contrast, was not made by human hands but could act mightily on behalf of his people. The nation of Israel was reminded, time and time again, not to forget this.

How forgetful God’s people are concerning the truths of Scripture, thus finding themselves unable to stand firm on God’s promises (1Co 15:1). They forget the goodness of the Lord and his Word. They forget the frailty of human limitations and their propensity to live according to their own way. They forget their former longings for the Lord and the blessed experience of walking closely with him. God knows his people’s limitations and sees their forgetfulness as another way in which they need his gracious mercy. Therefore, he reminds them again and again to remember him, and he supplies the means to overcome their human inability to remember the things of God by providing the Spirit of Christ (Jn 14:26).

The Good News of the gospel is that Jesus remembers the covenant that God made with his people and intercedes in the midst of unfaithful moments (Heb 7:24 – 25). Without fail, Jesus is remembering and reminding the Father of his promises to his children. Jesus remembers and applies his death and resurrection as payment. Jesus remembers and sends the Spirit to strengthen his children during their journey of faith and to remind them of the goodness of God and walking in his ways. The triune God remembers because of Jesus’ intercession and oversight of continued sanctification (Ro 8:26 – 30).

Jesus, over and over you have shown me your faithfulness. Help me to always listen to your Holy Spirit so that I may never forget what you have done for me. Amen.