We often talk about all the things we are to forget and put behind us as the scripture says and I believe that is an important thing to do. However, there are also things we need to remember.
I often talk about the feasts of God and the celebrations of God. One of the reasons God put those in place was so His people would remember His mighty acts and all that God had done for them.
Several times a year, Gods people would stop, come together and celebrate what God had done for them. They would celebrate how He had delivered them, how He had protected them and how He brought them into the promises of God. God had actually set times for them to purposefully remember.
In another place in the Bible we find there were memorial stones, these served the same purpose, they were set in place to remember what God had done at a specific time and place. Each time someone say the stones, they were reminded of specific victories, each time they walked by they would remember and say ‘that is where God brought me out!’ or ‘That is where God appeared to me!’ Stones of remembrance. These stones helped them to remember the faithfulness of God. Not only that, but it increased their faith each time they saw them. It fed their hope in God.
It reminds me of a teaching I once wrote. It was about John Osteen and a seed he had sown into a Spanish church that was under construction. The church was finally completed. Each time John Osteen drove by the church that he sowed the seed to, he was reminded of the fulfillment of the promise of God and how his seed was growing and thriving.
The same thing happens to me with the seed I sowed over twenty-five years ago. I am often reminded that I am able to work with the word of God and dwell in the presence of God daily, because I was obedient and sowed one small seed. My seed of continual harvest! For me it is always, a time of remembering. It is a stone of remembrance to me.
Each and every one of us should have this; memorial stones in our lives. When we look back over our life, we should remember the mighty things God has done. When He healed our child. When He came through just in time. When He brought us through a rough season. When He spoke a word to us that enabled us to continue standing in faith. When He sent someone across our path to speak a word to us when we were weary. This kind of remembering is good. This kind of remembering is of God. These are stones of remembrance to us and should be remembered and celebrated.
No…we shouldn’t remember when someone hurt us, we should not keep a stone of remembrance of that. We shouldn’t remember when we tried and failed. Let those things go, put them in the past and remember the good things. It is as the word says; finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. Phil. 4:8
All of us have things we can meditate on that are good things. All of us have memorial stones in our life, and I believe we should remind ourselves often to take note of those stones and require ourselves to remember them, just as God causes us to remember through the holy days of His festivals…don’t you?
It helps us to remain focused on God and His goodness. It keeps our focus in the right direction. It reminds us to be thankful for the wonderful things He has done for us and it increases our faith for the things He will do for us in the future. We will be reminded that He did it once and He will do it again!
Today make a point to remember the goodness of God and be thankful for the things He has done for you and your family.
Meditate on the good things of God today and every day, it will keep you focused on God. And when our mind is stayed on God, we are in peace, just like the Bible promises.
Today…
We would be remiss not to mention what Memorial Day stands for in this nation. As we remember those who have served our country and given all for us to be free, let us pray for their families.
Father, we ask You to reign Your peace down upon our nation today, Oh God and bless all the families and friends today that have lost loved ones, both in serving our country and in the circumstances of life. May You comfort them with peace that passes understanding that only comes from You. We ask You to protect us with Your strength, cover us in the blood of Jesus and shower us with mercy. In Jesus’ name. AMEN
