Remember

To “remember” simply means that we are piecing a memory or memories back together again.

We all come from somewhere. Whatever that starting line is we have built out memories that we remember. How do those memories race through our mind? How do they impact us? Our memories become a point of reference to how we move into our future. Remembering can be empowering. Remembering can be crippling.

Deuteronomy 5:15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore, the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

• Deuteronomy is a book of generational transition. An older generation was stuck in a vein of broken memories, crippled by remembering their slavery in Egypt, but could not remember the awesomeness of the Lord bringing them out.
• In Deuteronomy 5 Moses is now speaking to a new generation that never knew the affliction of Egypt. Yet, Moses is speaking as a patriarch encouraging a generation to remember both the great affliction of Egypt and the greater deliverance the Lord brought.
• Why is Moses doing this? If we get the discipline of “remembering” correct, we empower ourselves to obey. Moses is telling them to remember. The hope is that they will be empowered at the understanding of God’s awesomeness to obey in keeping the Sabbath. The word “remember” is a reoccurring instruction in Deuteronomy to encourage them to obey the Lord in all things.

The challenge for us to “remember” is no different. Many are crippled by broken memories. Some fight off remembering trauma that is on a loop in their brain and in their emotions. Often people who remember and have this kind of experience find themselves in addiction to cover the impact of memories they cannot shake.  When we can only remember the most afflicted parts of our lives, we have a companion called, “depression.”

We cannot pursue the promise of God if we are not pursuing the awesome God who gave the promise. His resume is far greater than ours. If we are disciplined in remembering where the Lord has shown up in our life, we can build our future right into His promise over us.

If you happen to be someone who has never encountered the Lord, be encouraged to trust His character, especially if you are working your way out of a present depression or past affliction. He is good and able to show you something to remember.

What owns our thinking? What memories are we piecing together to remember? At Brookside Church in Middletown, Virginia we are endeavoring to impact the community around us to bring glory to Jesus. We cannot bring glory to Him if we are not remembering the great things He has done in the past. We are looking to be equipped by the Lord in this season. We trust Him for our future because we remember what He has done in the past. He is faithful.

Blessings,

Pastor John