Remembering offers many different contexts. We’re told to remember a detail because it’s vital. There are a variety of memorials and altars scattered across the globe. All to honour significant moments or people who have sacrificed something so that we may be. Stamps commemorate historical figures. Holidays and street names, buildings, shrines. All to remember.
All throughout the Word, remember is used liberally. Like in these examples:
- Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! (Luke 17:32)
- I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed. (Mark 14:9)
- Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. (Exodus 20:8)
And countless others.
The call to remember is necessary because we forget. We forget much too easily about our history, which leads to unfortunate repetition at times.
It’s easy to remember during the mountaintop experiences. As blessing after blessing is poured out on us, like the rain during a storm, we find ourselves soaked in happiness. So much praise flows from our lips that we could write our own Book of Psalms.
But then come the deep valleys. The plummets that have us wondering if God even remembers that we exist? How quickly we forget to remember yesterday, or even a minute ago.
We need to remember so that we don’t get lost in the valley. We’re only passing through; it’s not the place to set down roots.
