What does Psalm 74:18 reveal about the importance of remembering God's past deeds? Setting the Scene • Psalm 74 is a communal lament written after a devastating attack on God’s sanctuary. • The psalmist moves from describing destruction (vv.1-11) to recalling God’s mighty acts (vv.12-17), then pleads: Text of Psalm 74:18 “Remember how the enemy has mocked You, O LORD, how a foolish people has spurned Your name.” What “Remember” Means in Scripture • In the Bible, when God “remembers,” He is not recalling forgotten facts; He is acting in covenant faithfulness (cf. Genesis 8:1; Exodus 2:24). • The psalmist appeals to that covenant faithfulness, confident the Lord still sees, still cares, and will intervene. Why the Psalmist Urges God to Remember 1. God’s reputation is at stake—His “name” has been spurned. 2. God’s past deeds prove He can rescue again (vv.12-17 recall Creation and Exodus power). 3. Remembering anchors hope; if God moved before, He will move again (cf. Psalm 77:11-12; Lamentations 3:21-23). What This Teaches Us About Our Memory • If the psalmist can ask God to remember, we are certainly called to remember: – Deuteronomy 8:2 urges Israel to “remember the whole way” God led them. – 1 Chronicles 16:12: “Remember the wonders He has done.” • Forgetfulness breeds fear; remembrance fuels faith and persistence in prayer. • Rehearsing God’s past deeds aligns our hearts with His purposes and keeps His glory central. Practicing God-Centered Remembrance Today • Revisit Scripture stories of deliverance—Exodus, Joshua, Acts. • Keep a personal journal of answered prayers and providences. • Retell testimonies in family and church gatherings (Psalm 78:4, 7). • Tie praise to specific acts of God: creation’s order, Christ’s cross, personal salvations. • Use songs and liturgy that recount history with God (Colossians 3:16). Key Takeaways • Psalm 74:18 shows that remembering is not nostalgia; it is faith in action. • God’s past deeds provide undeniable evidence of His power and character, supplying courage for present trials. • As we intentionally remember, we join the psalmist in confident expectation that the God who once acted will act again—ultimately fulfilled in Christ’s promised return (2 Peter 1:12-15). |
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