Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 4:1-23, Genesis 28:15, Ephesians 1:18-23
In my second year of college, I flunked out. Well, maybe not “flunked out,” but I was definitely placed on academic probation. I couldn’t take classes at the university for a full year. Humiliated and miserable, I returned home to wait out my year off. I took that year very seriously. With the help of a coach, I learned the value of delayed gratification and self-governance. It was the hardest work I’d ever undertaken, and that hard work paid off when I returned and graduated.
A few years later, I decided I wanted to get healthy. Eating well and exercising were more challenging than I’d expected, and there were several times I wanted to give up. But each time I felt overwhelmed, I remembered the hard work of teaching myself to self-govern and to delay immediate gratification, and how those skills had earned me a diploma. Remembering these things spurred me on toward health.
In Scripture, the command to “remember” certain things is common. The Israelites were instructed to remember God delivered them from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 13:3), and they were charged with committing the law to their memory (34:27). Similarly, the New Testament church was instructed to remember the victorious work of Christ on the cross through observing holy communion (Luke 22:7-19). It seems that “remembering” is the bridge that connects the past to the future—a present action that recalls the past and serves to propel us into our future.
The author of Nehemiah is recounting an experience during the rebuilding of the wall, when the circumstances of the present seem to be overwhelming the promise of the future. External forces were devising a plan to obstruct the building of Jerusalem’s walls. The opposition first tried to plant seeds of doubt. They hurled taunts and ridicule as the Jews were beginning their work, yet the Jewish builders persisted. But when they were about halfway through, the naysayers decided to destroy the work.
Understandably, the prospect of battle put fear in the hearts of the Jews who were working, and they began to doubt. Nehemiah assessed the danger and found that it was indeed very real. And so he told the workers to outfit themselves with the accoutrements of battle, and he directed them to “remember the great and awe-inspiring God” (Nehemiah 4:14).
And remember they did. They remembered the battles previously fought and won with Jehovah as their commander-in-chief, and they prepared to fight to protect their wives, their children, and the future of their holy city, Jerusalem. The remembering brought them strength—not just strength to arm themselves, but strength to continue the work.
Today, I’m encouraged to continue the work God has called me to, remembering His faithfulness in my past. The opposition of my present circumstances might be a very real threat—funky finances, a broken relationship, systemic injustice—but today I choose to remember the character and promises of the God I serve.
“Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land,
for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
—Genesis 28:15
Erin Rose lives and works in vibrant Richmond, Virginia, where she serves as Worship & Teaching Pastor at East End Fellowship. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia, and is currently enrolled as a graduate student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Erin is a member of Urban Doxology, a ministry that is writing the soundtrack of reconciliation for the church. Her greatest joy lies in leading God’s people in authentic worship, and teaching them the truth found in God’s Word. She also enjoys eating delicious food, spending time with loved ones, and indulging in the occasional Netflix binge.
This is what I needed today. I have battling anxiety, and it seems like I’ve been at it for a long time. But this is very helpful. I just need to remember how far I’ve come.
Hi Brittany, thank you for sharing. We’re praying for you and so grateful that you’re reading along with us. -Margot, The SRT Team
In Nehemiah 4:14, I need to remember the Lord as he was an abundant list of faithfulness qualities throughout OT, NT and present time. How I should focus on his character and promises. I was told at church this past Sunday that I need to find ‘balance’ about work-home-marriage-family. I agree, my work had taken a driver seat as I have tried to work as much overtime as I could for more money, to pay things off. Now the Lord removes overtime for the time being and I have been able to attend church more (unless I’m scheduled on a Sunday). My marriage is a little rocky with barely seeing one another and when we do, sex isn’t always a priority to me (whereas it’s always on his mind). I continually pray for guidance from God for me to not idolize money as God is truly the one who provides. Now I yearn for vacations abroad to see more of God’s creation.
I love the message of remembering God’s past victories on our behalf to give us the strength and courage to have faith and be obedient to him in the present. I wish we didn’t NEED to remember in order to have faith–that we could have faith regardless–but it’s true that clinging to God’s promises and the many times He’s already fulfilled those promises gives us fortitude. I’m currently weaning off of several antidepression/antianxiety medications I’ve been on for several years. In addition to depression and anxiety, they helped me to manage an eating disorder and I gained weight that, while needed, now feels unbearable to me without the buffer of the medication. It’s been a very difficult, very intense spiritual battle, and I’m so thankful for the reminder that I simply have to remember all the times God has carried me through in the past and cling to that to help me trust that he will carry me through this situation I’m facing now.
Hi Amanda, thanks so much for sharing. We’re so grateful for you and are praying for you! -Margot, The SRT Team
Thanks for sharing your struggle Amanda! God is good and will be your strength! ❤️ I am praying for you!
My heart has felt funky, my body feels tired, with 3 littles at home it can be tempting to want to get away to rest. And although I believe all mamas should get some time to refuel, when the time is available, I can’t do that just yet. I need to remember the Lord upholds each of us. Remember and meditate on the good he’s done in my life and keep putting one foot in front of the other with his strength and grace covering me like a royal robe. ❤️
Love this, Abbey! Motherhood is tough work, but it’s the best work. Praying for restful moments for you this week!
I needed to hear this!
Oh how this was needed… Thank you!!!
“Do not me afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome…”
I need this in my ear especially at work.
Love the thought…remember helps us connect the past to the present and then to the future! It brings us strength to continue because we know God keeps his promises!
This message was right on time! Right now I feel like I am going through opposition to what the Lord planted in my heart several years ago, and doubt is creeping in for time that has passed and the circumstances don’t seem right, but still in His time, in his way!