Remembering God

Deuteronomy 6:12

“be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”

In Deuteronomy 6, Moses shares what God directed him to teach the Israelites to enjoy a long life, entering the land that God had called them to possess. He instructed them to observe God’s commands, decrees, and laws so that life would go well for them. They were taught to love the Lord with all their hearts, souls, and strength, and not follow any other gods of the people around them.

Moses wanted them to increase “greatly” in the Lord’s promised land flowing with milk and honey. So he warned them of the importance of obeying what the Lord commanded them.

Further, Moses reiterated that parents should impress those teachings on their children and talk about them when they sit at home, walk along a road, lie down, and awaken. Those words were to be tied as symbols on their hands and written on their foreheads. In addition, the doorframes of their houses and gates should have their writings.

The Lord had promised their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob a land of large cities, houses, wells, vineyards, and olive groves. So now Moses warned them to be careful not to forget the Lord who brought them out of slavery in Egypt. When they became blessed with all these good things and were satisfied, they were to continue to do what was right, not forgetting God, so it would go well with them. Failing to do what Moses taught would result in God’s anger and the Lord destroying them.

One may ask, what about today? We are no longer under the law. Nevertheless, God still blesses us with many things to enjoy, things that could cause a distraction from the things of heaven and eternal life, to an unhealthy focus on worldly things. Remembering God and his standards for our lives are still in effect.

A few New Testament scriptures to remember are:

John 14:23 – “Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”

1 Timothy 5:21 – “I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

Ephesians 6:1 – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

1 Corinthians 10:11 – “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.”

Philippians 2:12 – “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

Remembering God now involves remembering Christ. When we take communion we remember what God has done for us in providing his Son as the sacrifice for our sins. We remember how we have been given the privilege of eternal life by faith in accepting Christ. We are now the family of God and the Body of Christ. Hence, we are to abide in him and his words in us. We remember that he and the Father are one, and we are to love him with all our hearts, souls, and minds (Matthew 22:37).

Moreover, upon promising the Holy Spirit’s coming, Jesus said to his disciples, ““If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them” (John 14:21).

Sadly, because of disobedience, most of those people the Lord initially intended to enter the promised land didn’t get to enter, except for Joshua and Caleb, who exercised great faith and obedience in obtaining God’s promise of the land of milk and honey.

In pondering all of these things, Lord, we remember you. Please help us to obey you.