Remember the Faithfulness of God

I woke at 4 am this morning with the word remember on my mind and reflected on it for a while before falling back asleep. It is frequently emphasized in Scripture, both explicitly and implicitly--indeed, much of Scripture is written to remind the readers of what God has done in the past. My memory of God's faithfulness to me in my past, your memory of His faithfulness to you in your past, and our reflection on His faithfulness to many, is essential in our present time.

I recently discussed four lessons from Habakkuk, the first suggesting that in times of trouble, I must remember the faithfulness and power of God that He has demonstrated in the past. I must remember because I am so prone to forget. The wind and the waves quickly distract me and pull my eyes off Jesus (remember Peter, Matt. 14:30?).

This year my small group is doing an in-depth study of the book of Hebrews. Hebrews is a book that ultimately points its readers to a greater life of faith as they too wait in dread for certain suffering (which has been experienced by them before; 10:32-39; 12:4-13). The great "hall of faith" chapter 11, which runs through 12:2, is one great remembrance passage. Remember what God has done in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses... Look at, and emulate, their faith. Remember their walk--sometimes with what we might define as success, but sometimes with death, yet always focused on what was promised, because God is faithful. It is impossible for Him to lie (6:18)! And Hebrews reminds the readers of the preeminent unfaithful example of all, the wilderness generation of Exodus and Numbers (Heb. 3:7-4:13; 6:4-6; 12:18-21). This was the generation that saw first-hand the ten plagues on Egypt (Ex. 7-11), crossed the Red Sea and saw the Egyptian army drowned (Ex. 14), was daily fed by manna in the morning and quail in the evening (Ex. 16), provided fresh water from rocks (Ex. 17), saw the presence of God on Mount Sinai (Ex. 19), and the repeated evidence of both His presence and judgment through miraculous signs and wonders (Deut. 4:32-40; and Hebrews will use a similar point in 2:1-4 for his readers). Yet, when it came time for that generation to enter the promised land, they rebelled and trembled in fear because the cities and people were large (Num. 13:25-29; 14:1-4). It was barely 18 months ago that you walked on dry land in the middle of the sea with a wall of water on your left and right, being chased by an entire Egyptian army, who then promptly drowned when God closed the water over them after you finished crossing--and yet you are afraid of some cities and big people?! You complain as your mouth is full of manna provided this morning from heaven, washed down by fresh water that came out of a rock!

I ought not to be too hard on them, for I am more similar to them than I care to admit. This is why remembering is so important. This is why God instituted for them regular, embodied practices and celebrations, practiced in the community, to help them remember. This is why regular, embodied practices with the people of God are so critical to life in Christ. When I take communion, eating the bread that symbolizes the body of Christ, I remember that He came in the flesh, dwelt among us, took on all that it meant to be human, yet without sin (John 1:14). When I drink the grape juice (or wine, depending on your tradition), I remember that His physical blood was shed for my sin, He became sin on my behalf so that I might receive His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:12). Indeed, even the very words instituting this practice suggest its purpose: "do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19) The daily (!) gathering is used by Hebrews in the middle of his discussion on the wilderness generation, for the express purpose of encouraging one another so they would not be like that faithless generation (4:12-13). And how does he encourage his readers? By demonstrating that Christ is superior and sufficient (Son, High Priest, Sacrifice, Example, Author, Completer), and by reminding them of His faithfulness to them and others in the past.

I will again quote my favorite professor: "What God has done in the past is a model and a promise of what he will do in the future, but He's too creative to do the same thing the same way twice."

My challenge for you today is to take a few moments and remember--what has He done for you in the past, where have you seen His faithfulness in your life, perhaps in the lives of those near you, and write it down? Thank Him (Ps. 89). Rejoice in His faithfulness to you (Lam. 3:23). Share that with someone. Be an encouragement to another (Heb. 4:12-13; 10:19-25). Our God hasn't changed. He is the same (Heb. 1:12; 13:8)! He will be faithful in our present time, in the suffering, as the lesson in Habakkuk reminds us, for He is bringing us into greater depths of sonship--likeness to Christ--through these circumstances.