May 15, 2024
It has struck me recently how often the idea of “remembering” is used in the Bible—between 240 and 352 times, depending on the source and the version. It is one of the central themes of God’s Word: to remember actively, to recall and reflect on God’s actions and promises and how they were fulfilled in the past, to remember His instruction and how it applies to the present and encourages us for the future. How many times did the Old Testament forefathers make altars as a remembrance of God’s mighty acts or apparitions? In Jesus’ last meal with His disciples—a Passover meal to remember how God delivered His people long ago—He instituted the only official ceremony He taught us to celebrate, communion, and He said, “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24).
David Horner explains that remembering is a way of preserving our identity and purpose as God’s people. It is also a way of acknowledging God’s sovereignty and faithfulness and of giving thanks and praise to Him for all that He has done and continues to do for us. In the Bible, remembering is not just a mental exercise but a call to action. It is a way of living out our faith and fulfilling God’s purposes for our lives. In summary, biblical remembering is a way of keeping God’s Word and works alive in our hearts and minds and living out our faith practically. To forget our story is to forget who we are and why we’re here. No wonder remembering is such a central theme in Scripture. God knows the gravitational pull of human awareness, which draws us inexorably toward forgetting. God’s people are always in danger of forgetting who and whose they are.1
The book of Deuteronomy records Moses’ final address to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. He emphasizes the importance of actively remembering what they had learned and what the Lord did to keep them through the many years in the wilderness: “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them” (Deuteronomy 4:9). “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today” (Deuteronomy 8:2, 18).
In recent years, I have started to keep a form of Advent before Christmas as a time to remember the incredible gift of love that God extended to humanity by sending His own Son into the world to live amongst us; and also during Lent, to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for each of us on the cross where He died so we could live. These are special times to think more deeply about what His love means to me and to reflect on what I can do to show my gratitude.
One thing He impressed upon me during one of these times is the importance of daily recording His blessings and mercies, of keeping track of how He manifests His love in so many ways on a daily basis. It may be simple manifestations of His presence or an answer to my prayers; it may be something awesome that happened that day or a simple joy I tend to take for granted. Recording these at the end of each day has been one of the most powerful tools to help me navigate the ups and downs of life in a faith-filled and praiseful way. It is coming into His presence with thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4), which helps me see His many underserved gifts, which may have passed without me noticing them. I naturally tend to focus on the many problems and needs which surround me so that I fail to see the multitudes of His mercies renewed day by day (Lamentations 3:22–23), the many touches of His love, like the smell of good food on the stove, the sunrise through the trees, an uplifting song that someone took the time to send me, or the smile on my grandson’s face when he knocks on our door.
A book I read during the pandemic that inspired me along these lines is One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. In the book, she wondered, “How do I find joy amid deadlines, debt, drama, and daily duties? What does a life of gratitude look like when your days are gritty, long, and sometimes dark? What is God providing here and now?” Her book is an inspiring and practical guide to living a life of joy even through hardships, as it invites you to wake up to God’s everyday blessings, and to write these down as gifts that we receive from our caring Father. We often miss them if we do not take the time to look for them, savor them, and take note of them at the end of the day—to marvel at His goodness and faithfulness, which helps us see we are always accompanied even through the toughest times!
I have been keeping a prayer journal for many years, writing down my prayer requests, and noting when they are answered, and also jotting down messages that I get during my time with the Lord. These journal entries are always encouraging to look back on, as I see how present He has been in our lives, even through the many changes and new twists we have faced in the last decade. When confronted with a new challenge, reviewing my notes of His constant care, the many manifestations of His presence, the promises fulfilled, and the faithful supply and guidance through unknown territory and impossible situations is a tremendous comfort. It reminds me how He indeed has never left us nor forsaken us, and “though my sins are many, His mercies are more,” as John Newton said so well.
After reading One Thousand Gifts, I began the daily discipline of jotting down ten gifts I received that day. Of course, there are the big gifts and outstanding miracles of supply, protection, healing, or answered prayer for loved ones and friends, but these don’t happen every day. However, this new habit helps me pay attention to the multitude of less noticeable gifts that brighten my days. We know He is the God who sees, but I am often the person who doesn’t see how present and caring He is even amidst the worst circumstances. “In everything give thanks”(1 Thessalonians 5:18)—not for everything but in everything. He does not need my praise to make Him feel better about Himself, but looking more intentionally for His goodness helps me feel better and see that He truly is present, ever faithful, ever loving, ever caring!
Often, as I start to count His “gifts” of the day, I can barely think of one or two things (the “gifts” noted are meant to be unique each day), and it shows me clearly how easy it is for me to forget the good and focus on the lack! But as I begin to list them one by one, more and more come to my mind that I had forgotten, even though they had just happened that day. By the time I have listed ten, I can think of more that I can add. This is a beneficial and uplifting exercise that helps my mind be more aligned with His Word. It helps me deal with my natural inclination to worry about so many things. And I find it easier to not be conformed to this world, which tends to focus on the negative, but be transformed by renewing my mind (Romans 12:2).
Jesus started the miracle of feeding the multitude by simply giving thanks for the two loaves and five fishes—someone had counted them and recorded it! By noticing and actively recording my many little (and big) blessings—His daily gifts to me—it helps me walk in a spirit of peace and joy, and I see more of His power at work all around me.
1 Paraphrased and quoted from https://www.biblica.com/articles/remembering-to-remember-the-stories-of-gods-people/
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