Wondered by the Word — The Bible in a YearSample

Pondering His Faithfulness

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 16:12

Have you ever been told that you need to forget the past? I don’t know about you, but sometimes that seems impossible. I can forget what I had for dinner last night, and I can easily forget to switch the laundry over to the dryer. But I can vividly remember every detail of the day the doctors found a mass in my throat. And I’ll never forget the pain of saying goodbye to some of my closest friends and a place that felt like home. Even memories from one of the hardest seasons of my life creep back into my mind every once in a while. 

Even though some of those memories can be painful, the truth is, it’s not so bad to think back on the past. Of course, we don’t want to get stuck there, but remembering can serve an incredible purpose in our lives if we do it well. 

In describing the Festival of Weeks (Deuteronomy 16:9-12), God directs his people to celebrate by giving in proportion to how He has blessed them. (Wow! How could we ever give enough, right?!) 

He goes on to say, “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt…” (v. 12). Why would He remind them of their past? To be mean? To bring back painful memories? No way! Because He knows there is power in remembering where you came from and how far He has brought you. 

Think about some of the transforming work God has done in your own life. A restored marriage, a softened heart, physical healing, an unfolding of His plan as you walked in obedience. What about the greatest transformation He could ever work in you when He rescued you and called you His child?

When you think about those things of the past, focusing on God’s power at work in your life, aren’t you compelled to believe Him for even greater things? Remembering allows us to recognize God’s former faithfulness and anticipate God’s future faithfulness.

So, friend, don’t forget the past. Remember. And believe. 

(Written by Lindsay Dryer)