"But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren." Deuteronomy 4:9
Moses said these words to the Israelites as they were getting ready to enter the promised land. He was reminding the people to remember all of the things they had seen the LORD do among them and for them. Remember them. Never forget them. And take the time to pass them on to those who come after them.
What's the point of remembering all of those things? And if Moses was telling this to the Israelites, what does that have to do with me?
The LORD had done amazing things in their lives! He had done things that had never been done before. He had showed them time after time that He would take care off them, that He would provide for them, that He would protect them... The people were about to have a major life change. They were about to go from wandering around in the wilderness to settling in their own land. But settling in their own land wasn't going to be easy. There were people living there. The Israelites were going to face challenges to settle in the promised land. Moses reminded them that they had already faced challenges, and God had taken care of them. As they went into the promised land, they would face new challenges, and this time they would face them without Moses there to lead them. So Moses encouraged them to remember. He encouraged them to remember what God had done so that when they faced challenges again, they would also remember who God is and what He could do. Knowing how God had helped them before would help them to be strong as they faced new challenges.
Just like the LORD was working in the lives of the Israelites, He is working in my life too. He has encouraged, helped, comforted, provided... But when I forget what He has done in my life in the past, I worry more about what will happen in the future. What will happen in this situation? How will I ever make it through this struggle? How will we have what we need for this? It is a rapid downward spiral because I'm worried about how I will get through whatever the struggle is.
But when I remember what God has done in my life in the past, I am reminded of how He works. I am reminded of how great He is. I am reminded of His power. I am reminded that nothing is too hard for Him. So when I face new challenges or struggles, they don't seem quite so big. The struggle I face now is no problem for the God who has taken care of this and that and all those other things. Remembering all those things God has done in the past reminds me that I am not alone. He was with me in those struggles, and He has promised to never leave me. That means He will be with me in the struggles I face now and all those others yet to come.
Remembering what God has done in the past helps me to trust Him right now and for the future.
All of those reminders of who God is and what He has done in the past is helpful not just to me but to others as well. Hearing of how God has worked in my life in the past (and present) can encourage you to trust Him with what you're facing. And hearing how God has worked in your life can encourage me to trust Him.
So remember. Remember what God has done in your life. And tell others what He has done. Listen to what He has done in the lives of others. And trust Him, the God with whom nothing is impossible, to walk with you in what you are facing now.
