Forget not, and watch out! That’s the theme of today’s reading. There is something to remember and something to guard against. In short, remember God and forget not His works! Remember who He is, and forget not what He has done! Notice what Moses says to this new generation.
“But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren. (Deuteronomy 4:9, NLT)
“Now search all of history, from the time God created people on the earth until now, and search from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything as great as this ever been seen or heard before? Has any nation ever heard the voice of God speaking from fire—as you did—and survived? Has any other god dared to take a nation for himself out of another nation by means of trials, miraculous signs, wonders, war, a strong hand, a powerful arm, and terrifying acts? Yet that is what the Lord your God did for you in Egypt, right before your eyes. (Deuteronomy 4:32–34, NLT)
“So remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The Lord is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other. (Deuteronomy 4:39, NLT)
Wow! This is amazing! Who would think Israel might forget the massive, God-sized miracles God did for them? Who would believe Israel might not remember God? Yet, apparently, watch out! It’s possible! And in time, Israel will forget and not remember God.
Does it seem impossible that we might forget God’s good deeds in our lives? Yet, at the same time, we know how easy it is to forget—it’s as easy as not remembering! This might sound like a play on words, but it’s not. For example, what do we do if we really want to remember something? We might write it down. We might memorize it. We likely will intentionally and often think about it so that “we keep it firmly in mind.” To remember is not to let it go!
Watch out! In the busyness of life, let’s remember God, lest we forget!
Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. (Psalm 103:1–2, NLT)
Today’s chronological reading: Deuteronomy 3-4
Want to use this in a family or small group setting? Below are some discussion points to get you started. Enjoy!
- Why is it important to remember God and His works in our daily lives?
- What are some practical ways we can remember God amid our busy lifestyles?
- How can forgetting God impact our spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being?
- What are some examples of God’s good deeds in our lives that we can remember and reflect on?
- How can we encourage others to remember God and His works, even in times of difficulty or busyness?