The concept of a "Reminder of Deliverance" is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, serving as a testament to God's faithfulness and power in rescuing His people from peril. These reminders are often instituted by God Himself or by His prophets and leaders, serving as both a historical record and a spiritual encouragement for future generations.

Old Testament Examples

1. The Passover: One of the most significant reminders of deliverance in the Old Testament is the Passover. Instituted in Exodus 12, the Passover commemorates Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt. God commanded the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood, so the angel of death would "pass over" their homes during the final plague. This event is memorialized annually as a reminder of God's mighty hand in freeing His people. "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come" (Exodus 12:14).

2. The Crossing of the Jordan: In Joshua 4, after the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, God instructed Joshua to set up twelve stones taken from the riverbed as a memorial. These stones served as a reminder of how God stopped the river's flow, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. "In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever" (Joshua 4:6-7).

3. The Feast of Tabernacles: Also known as Sukkot, this feast is a reminder of the Israelites' 40-year journey in the wilderness, living in temporary shelters. It is a time to remember God's provision and protection during their journey to the Promised Land. "You are to live in booths for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must live in booths, so that your descendants may know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God" (Leviticus 23:42-43).

New Testament Fulfillment

1. The Lord's Supper: In the New Testament, Jesus Christ institutes the Lord's Supper as a new reminder of deliverance. During the Last Supper, Jesus broke bread and shared wine with His disciples, symbolizing His body and blood, which would be sacrificed for the salvation of humanity. "Do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19). This act serves as a perpetual reminder of Christ's atoning sacrifice and the deliverance from sin and death it provides.

2. Baptism: Baptism is another New Testament ordinance that symbolizes deliverance. It represents the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. "We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4). This act serves as a personal reminder of the believer's deliverance from the bondage of sin.

Spiritual Significance

Reminders of deliverance serve not only as historical markers but also as spiritual tools to strengthen faith and encourage obedience. They remind believers of God's past faithfulness, encouraging trust in His future promises. These reminders are integral to the life of faith, providing a tangible connection to God's redemptive work throughout history.