Peter’s Progress – 28 November

Classic scenario: I’m told something at the door after a church service and moments later I’ve forgotten it. My wife knows I need a shopping list if I’m sent to buy anything more than three items or I forget things.

Remembering takes effort.

Remembering in the Bible is central to God’s Way. It is an integral part of worship and of the function of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.

The concept of remembering in the Bible plays out in different ways.

God’s remembering is linked to action. God remembers his covenants and therefore, for example, intervenes to rescue Israel from slavery in Egypt. Prophets, kings, leaders and judges pray that God will remember them.

Why? Because they’re asking God to take action on their behalf!

The Psalmists make much of remembering, linking it with God’s goodness and loving kindness.

Other scriptures flip the remembering around. People are called to remember what God has done. A direct command is given in Deuteronomy 8:11 to “be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God”.

So to this day the remembrance of God plays an important role in Judaism and Jewish history.

Many Jewish festivals, customs and clothes stand as a reminder of God’s actions.

In this way, worship also flows from the act of remembering.

But the significance of remembering does not make it something robust. It is fragile.

Taking bread and wine against the backdrop of Passover, Jesus instructs his followers to “do this in remembrance of me.”

Why? We need continual prompts to remember God’s grace.

We need the reality of the saving action in the crucified and risen Messiah, Jesus, to remain front and centre to our lives.

It also becomes crucial that the depths of scripture are faithfully opened up to us so we can remember God’s redemptive action throughout Biblical time and know the same God is at work in our lives now.

I remember Dwight A. Pryor once saying something like, “The study of scripture that leads to obedience is the highest form of worship of the Almighty.”

Given the link between remembrance, action and faithfulness, this should probably come as no surprise.

May we make a renewed effort to remember God’s goodness towards us.

May it shape obedient actions and inspire faithful worship.

Check out Peter’s full blog here.