How can we remember "the great things He has done" for us? The Call to Remember: 1 Samuel 12:24 “Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.” Samuel’s closing charge comes after recounting Israel’s history. He links wholehearted service to an active, deliberate remembering of God’s mighty acts—past and present. Why Forgetfulness Is Dangerous • Deuteronomy 6:12 warns, “Be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Forgetting breeds self-reliance and sin. • Psalm 106 traces Israel’s failures back to “forgetting His works” (v. 13). • Revelation 2:4-5 shows even a faithful church can “abandon the love you had at first” unless it remembers. Practical Ways to Remember His Great Works • Keep a written record – Journals or margin notes of answered prayer (Psalm 77:11-12). – Date significant verses that came alive during trials. • Speak testimonies aloud – Share around the dinner table (Psalm 78:4). – Tell new believers what God has done for you (Mark 5:19). • Build visible reminders – Create “Ebenezers” like Samuel’s stone in 1 Samuel 7:12. – Frame a photo or verse connected to a specific deliverance. • Celebrate ordained memorials – The Lord’s Supper: “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). – Baptism anniversaries, wedding vows, spiritual birthdays. • Sing truth – Hymns and psalms lodge doctrine in the heart (Colossians 3:16). – Compile a playlist that rehearses His attributes and acts. • Teach the next generation – Regular family Bible reading (Deuteronomy 11:18-19). – Let children see answered prayer and participate in thanksgiving. • Revisit key places – Return to locations where God clearly led or provided. – Reflect on how far He has carried you (1 Samuel 7:12). Blessings That Flow From Remembering • Fuels gratitude (Psalm 103:2). • Strengthens faith for present trials (Lamentations 3:21-23). • Guards against idolatry and pride (Deuteronomy 8:11-14). • Spurs obedience and service (1 Samuel 12:24). • Sparks worship that honors God publicly (Psalm 40:9-10). Living It Out Today 1. This week, set aside thirty minutes to list ten specific “great things” God has done in your life. 2. Choose one method above—journal, testimony, song, or visible reminder—and act on it within the next twenty-four hours. 3. Revisit your list monthly, adding new mercies and re-reading old ones to keep your heart warm. Consistent, intentional remembrance turns isolated memories into a lifestyle of worship, anchoring every step in the faithful goodness of the Lord who never changes. |
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