Remembering . . . What's It Good For?

 

        This morning, I was reminded by a notification that two people, who are important to me, were celebrating birthdays.  I rely on reminders.  When given a chance to recall, I can reminisce about fond memories I hold.  I remembered the birth of my youngest cousin born this day.  I rejoiced in the memory of a friendship God granted through small group fellowship of a dear friend who moved away.   In addition to birthday reminders, I observed a precious picture in social media that commemorated four generations; the youngest pictured is gravely ill and may soon be reunited with her godly Great Grandmother (my childhood Sunday School teacher).  It is good to consider what memories allow us to do.  My children are in school.  They will rely on their memories to acquire information long enough to take a test, indicating that they have minds that can retain information at least for a short time.  How much high school World History or Middle School Algebra do you remember?  I rest my case!  Fortunately, some memories stick, while others fade.  How have you used your memory today?    

     As I observed a story found in the ninth chapter of Nehemiah, the people of Israel have just celebrated for seven days, their first Festival of Booths in many years.  They had not observed this appointed time since the time of Joshua (son of Nun).  Scriptures tell us that day-by-day, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God.  Now it was the eighth day, and the people met for a solemn assembly.  They fasted, dressed in sackcloth, and had dirt on their heads.  How difficult must it have been to move from feast to fast, from celebration to a somber spirit?  Scriptures had touched the hearts of the people as they participated in two activities:  Reading the Book of the Law and Remembering their history.  This day, set aside with intention, allowed them to remember their past, confess their sins, and worship God.

     The Levites began to recall God’s sovereignty, His creation, and His preservation of heaven and earth.  They remembered that all the hosts of heaven honored and worshipped God.  They began to recount the promise that God made to Abraham and his offspring.  They remembered the affliction of their people in Egypt and how God rescued them from the hand of Pharaoh.  They remembered God’s leading, feeding, and guiding their path.  They reminisced about God’s steadfast love even when they rebelled and were not mindful of the wonders that God had performed.  They recounted the many blessings God had bestowed: 

1.        Instruction from the “good Spirit” (v. 20), 

2.        Sustenance in the wilderness (v. 21),

3.        Land (v. 22),

4.        Children (v.23),

5.        Protection from inhabitants (v. 24), and

6.       Abundant Possessions (v. 25).

     As the people recounted these blessings, I couldn’t help but observe the second half of verse twenty-five, which reminded me of our own nation.  “So, they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in (God’s) great goodness.”  Filled, fat, and delighted proceeded acts of arrogance, presumptive behaviors, and wicked deeds.  How often do we intentionally place our minds on our blessings, only to forget the one who gives us these things?  Fortunately, the Israelites did not stop their remembering on that note, but they reminded themselves of their complacent history.   

     As I read the Scriptures, sometimes I notice patterns in writing.  When highlighted, they cause my thoughts to linger longer.  I uncovered such a pattern when reading Nehemiah 9:26-38.  I marked words like ‘Nevertheless, Therefore, But After, Yet, Even, and Because.’  These words outlined the complacent nature of the Israelites, while God remained loyal and devoted to them despite it.  This pattern is not reserved for Jewish history alone but marks the deeds of all humanity throughout all time.  Can you take a moment and read this passage?  Put your own narrative into Scriptures, reminding yourself of God’s goodness, your sin, and His forgiveness.  Memories of our own sin are those we hope will fade into non-existence; however, they are the exact memories we need to remind ourselves of that teach us about God’s grace and mercy toward us.  When we recall these types of memories, they allow us to extend compassion to others.  We should not wish these memories to fade; otherwise, our hearts will become prideful, and we will forget that righteousness is an external gift, not one we can acquire on our own.  We do not wish the words that describe the ancient Israelites (arrogant, presumptuous, stubborn, stiff-necked, and wicked) to define us, yet I imagine they do.  Why shouldn’t we designate a day of solemn assembly to remind ourselves that confession and worship are essential?

     The reading of God’s Word reminded the people of the covenant that God had made with them.  It reminded them both of the goodness of God and the nature of humanity.  It caused them to recommit themselves to God’s commandments, created for their benefit.  It re-established their firm foundation.  Although the Book of the Law established laws, rules, and statutes specifically for the people of Israel, many of which are not binding on Gentiles, the Scriptural account shows us the depth of God’s desire to be relational with all of His children.  The reading of God’s Word reminds us of God’s forgiveness, grace, and mercy.  He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  God has shown through history that He does not forsake His own.   How can we, with intention, allow our memories to humble our hearts in confession and worship?    

     As I read Nehemiah 9:34-37, I could see the historical pattern of rebellion among the Israelite’s; however, it is also reflective of our own.  Looking at our own nations history, can we see how this pattern is repeating itself on our own soil?      

  “Our kings, our princes, our priests, and our fathers have not kept your law or paid attention to your commandments and your warnings that you gave them.    Even in their own kingdom, and amid your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and rich land that you set before them, they did not serve you or turn from their wicked works. Behold, we are slaves this day; in the land that you gave to our fathers to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts, behold, we are slaves. And its rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They rule over our bodies and over our livestock as they please, and we are in great distress.”  May our confessions and worship recognize how far we have fallen as a nation.  Only God’s steadfast love endures forever.