Remembering…

Memorial Day is a time of remembrance. While our nation remembers and honors those who gave their lives for our freedom, I am challenging you to also take time to remember God’s faithfulness in your life.  Throughout the Old Testament, God told the Israelites to build memorials so that they would not forget God’s faithfulness.  in Joshua 3, they built a memorial of stones to remember how God parted the Jordan River so that they people could pass on dry ground.  Jacob built a memorial after he dreamed of angels ascending and descending on a ladder from heaven.

Memorials act as a sort of sign post to tell us something. When someone we love dies, we put a tombstone on their graves as a reminder of their lives. What can we do to help us remember God’s faithfulness in our lives?  The Jewish people clung to the Shema in Deuteronomy 6 (Hear O Israel, the Lord your God is One.) and put it on their door posts as a reminder of Who God is.

I can look back over my life, and see significant moments when God spoke to me.  While I didn’t set up memorials to remember these times, many are hidden deep in my heart and mind.  During times of hardship and trials, I go back to those “sign posts” and remember God’s past faithfulness to give me hope for today.   I encourage you to take time this Memorial Day to remember. Start a new tradition:  As you grill out with family and friends, take time to remember God’s faithfulness in the past; share the stories of his goodness with others, and trust him for tomorrow.