Forgetfulness and Worship

I'm finding myself in the book of Deuteronomy - the longest sermon in the Bible - reading the words of Moses as he speaks to the nation of Israel. This book is an absolutely amazing book and I'm so glad that I've found myself captured in the story of this book at the moment. It's especially well-written in the language of the Message.

I was thinking this morning, 'if you could boil down the entire book of Deuteronomy into one word what word would you use?'

Much of the book revolves around how the Israelites are to worship the Lord their God. This is a big theme. However, that's not the word that I would use.

For me it's the word: "Remember."

Everytime I read the word 'remember' or the phrase 'do no forget' I circle it. It seems that Moses says it over and over again.

How forgetful we are as humans. I don't mean remembering as in the realm of where we left our keys or when our wife's birthday is (though those are important things to remember). What I mean is we too often forget the many ways God makes himself known in our lives, we fail to remember the ways he loves us, the ways he blesses us.

Plain and simple: we are forgetful people.

God commanded the Israelites to erect Stones of Remembrance throughout the land. When these stones were erected they were to trigger memories of God's involvement in saving the nation that He loved so much. The text says that when the Israelites' children asked, "Daddy, what are those stones for?" they were to tell them that they were because of God's involvement in their lives. It was a tangible reminder, a symbol of God's goodness.

I've been pondering the connection between our worship and the importance of remembering. Deuteronomy chapter 8 says that if we forget the hearts of the Hebrew people would become proud. It's true for us today as well.

If worship is my response to God for who He is and what He has done in my life and in the world that means that I have to have an element of remembering in order to worship properly.

Is it even possible to worship God if I forget Him?

If the word 'remember' is used over and over again, what will it take for me to constantly remember Gods goodness in my life?

What are the Stones of Remembrance that I need to erect as a tangible reminder of God's involvement, love, care and pursuit of people of the world?

Comments

[Rich]

May we ever raise our ebenezers...