How can we ensure we remember God's works, unlike in Jeremiah 44:9? Setting the Scene: Jeremiah 44:9’s Warning “Have you forgotten the evil deeds of your fathers and the evil deeds of the kings of Judah and their wives, and your own evil deeds and those of your wives, which they committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?” (Jeremiah 44:9) The exiles in Egypt had witnessed centuries of God’s faithfulness—yet they still drifted into idolatry because they refused to remember His mighty works and their own history of rebellion. Foundational Truth: Remembering Is Commanded • “Be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (Deuteronomy 6:12) • “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds.” (Psalm 103:2) • Remembering is not a suggestion; it is woven into covenant life so that every generation lives in grateful obedience. Key Obstacles to Remembrance • Distraction—everyday busyness crowds out deliberate reflection (Luke 10:40). • Idolatry—affections shift to created things, dulling spiritual memory (Jeremiah 2:32). • Pride—assuming present blessings are self-earned (Deuteronomy 8:17–18). • Unconfessed sin—guilt leads to avoidance of God’s past acts of mercy (Psalm 32:3–4). Practical Ways to Ensure We Remember God’s Works 1. Immerse in Scripture • Schedule daily reading; rehearse salvation history aloud. • “I will remember the works of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.” (Psalm 77:11) 2. Build Memorials of Gratitude • Physical reminders: a stone on a shelf, a note on the wall, a family “Ebenezer.” • “These stones shall be a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.” (Joshua 4:7) 3. Record Personal Testimonies • Keep a journal of answered prayers and providences. • Review regularly with family and friends. 4. Pass the Story to the Next Generation • Share at meals and bedtime (Deuteronomy 6:7). • Involve children in retelling family testimonies. 5. Celebrate the Lord’s Table Reverently • “Do this in remembrance of Me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24) • Approach Communion as a living proclamation of the gospel. 6. Speak and Sing of His Deeds • Integrate worship music saturated with Scripture. • Testify publicly in church gatherings (Psalm 40:10). 7. Practice Obedient Action • Obedience anchors memory; each step of faith becomes a fresh marker. • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22) 8. Rehearse in Seasons of Trial • Call past mercies to mind when hope feels thin. • “Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.” (Lamentations 3:21) Living It Out Daily When God’s mighty acts are kept before our eyes, idolatry loses its grip, gratitude swells, and faith deepens. Remembering is more than mental recall; it is a deliberate, embodied lifestyle that anchors the heart to the Lord’s unchanging faithfulness—ensuring that the tragedy of Jeremiah 44:9 never repeats in our own lives. |
    |