I’ve been telling my stories to my daughter in the car when we are driving. Driving back from choir practice in the dark, I told her what it felt like when my parents got divorced (surprising and confusing). Driving to cross country practice, I told her about my first date with her papa (I thought it was a first date, he thought it was a last date). She won’t know my stories if I don’t tell her, and she can’t learn from the stories of her heritage if she doesn’t know them. The stories die with me if I don’t tell them.
God knows we are people who need stories to remember our history. Knowledge of our history is vital, but we won’t remember it unless we speak it regularly to each other and to our children. “Imprint these words of mine on your hearts and minds” (Deuteronomy 11:18). The remembrance of God’s character and works is the foundation of obedience. Without remembrance, we are adrift in a world without answers.
Our duty to remember is rooted in love. First, God’s commands are rooted in His love for us. He made us in love and purchased us back from sin in love so that we might be His children. On this foundation, we strive toward obedience (Deuteronomy 11:1). John writes, “This is how we know that we love God’s children: when we love God and obey his commands” (1 John 5:2).
Second, love, remembrance, and obedience are inseparable. God calls us to generational remembrance of His works (Deuteronomy 11:2). We have received the stories of those who came before, and our children cannot know what they have not seen, unless they are told. This is a serious and lifelong undertaking. We are to imprint God’s Word and works on our hearts and minds, so that we never forget (Deuteronomy 11:18-21).
Third, the fruit of remembrance is obedience and blessing. God tells the Israelites if they remember and keep His commands, they will have strength, long life, and blessing (Deuteronomy 11:8-9). Remembrance produces obedience. Obedience produces strength. Strength leads to victory and blessing in Him.
This victory and blessing are rooted in God’s promises, in God’s own righteousness. It is God Himself who drives out our enemies. It is in His strength that we are strong. His hand is at work from start to finish. He offers us the inheritance of blessing in Christ alone. This is the best blessing we can offer to others: teaching them to remember their Creator.
We live in a generation of forgetfulness, that often scoffs at obedience, and makes light of faithfulness. It is for this reason that we also too often find ourselves in a generation of weakness and cowardice, adrift. If we would see our children and our spiritual communities prosper, we must know and remember the Word and the works of God.
Hey ladies.
I’m a regular SRT reader and rarely post, but want to post anonymously today. A little embarrassed.
Asking for prayer. I’ve been struggling a lot with feelings vs Holy Spirit wisdom. I have had my car at the shop for almost a month. I wanted to finally pick it up today, as the guy have me the ok it is driveable, but I’m feeling like it’s not time. How do I know if that’s leaning on my own understanding or if my feelings are justified by wisdom?
I’ve REALLY struggled with discerning God’s voice when it comes to having strong feelings. I know we are to base out decisions on His word, but that is hard to do sometimes, when we don’t know how to apply it directly to our circumstance.
The reason I’m asking is that when I got into this car mess, I had an unrest in my spirit that I shouldn’t go somewhere. I did anyway and then my car trans broke.. and other issues..
I felt that because I didn’t have God’s peace (His approval) and did something, that was disobedience. Therefore,my car broke. Kind of like what we are studying today…. so this is hard…
So, now I’m trying to listen to my feelings to discern if I have His peace to do something. It’s really frustrating and difficult. God keeps reminding me of Romans 8:28. That He works all things together for good. I do trust that.
I’m just not sure when I’ll get my car and I’m frustrated … I don’t feel secure enough to go get it. What if I go and something bad happens because I disobey God’s will for me to wait ?
My friend offered to bring me today and then her car service light went on!! What if that’s a sign not to go?
Anyway. I feel better just confessing this struggle.
Love you ladies.
I’m struck by the additional passage today from 1 John “For this is what love for God is: to keep good commands. And to keep his commands is not a burden.” Lord, my excuses crumble under this passage. Bring me closer to you, your word and your laws. I long for you.
I’m struck by the additional passage from 1 John. “For this is what life got Good is:
Amazing reading & devotional thoughts today!! Lord, forgive me when I am stubborn & forget your faithfulness. Forgive me when I forget your goodness. It is your instruction which is the lifeblood of my life, YOU give me direction and from you alone is goodness & blessing. Help us to be a remembering people who choose the path of blessing! You are worthy of more praise & glory. This life is all about you God!
phoebe!!!!!! we think so much alike. i’m always questioning my motives, and often think this very thought!! praying against these lies that the enemy gets us stuck in.
I remember first learning how important remembrance is in the spiritual disciplines study w/ SRT. So much truth in today’s devotion I feel like I copied half of it in my notebook. “Remembrance produces obedience. Obedience produces strength. Strength leads to victory and blessing in Him.” Lord give me Your strength so I can be obedient to You alone, so I can have victory over the enemy!
Today’s reading has me going to Ecclesiastes 12:1-7. Since it’s a bit long, I’ll just post verse 1 here:
“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them’”
Today’s reading has me going to Ecclesiastes 12:1-7. Since it’s a bit long I’ll just post verse 1 here: