This post is written to link with Five Minute Friday: write for five minutes on a one-word prompt. The prompt today is “forget.”
The book of Deuteronomy contains Moses’ words to the Israelites as they are on the verge of entering the Promised Land, and one message comes across loud and clear: Don’t forget!
“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)
“When you have eaten your fill in this land, be careful not to forget the Lord, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 6:11-12 NLT)
“Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations and decrees that I am giving you today.” (Deuteronomy 8:11 NLT)
This week I was prompted to look back at an old diary, and it also highlighted to me the importance of remembering what God has done. I’m grateful that I wrote those words, because I never want to forget.
They were written at a time when life was difficult, when I was processing a lot of pain, but reading them now encourages me.
I don’t want to forget how hard it was, because it reminds me of God’s healing and it helps me empathise with others.
I don’t want to forget where I saw God working – all the times he spoke to me and the kindness I experienced from others.
I don’t want to forget the closeness of God during that time.
The danger for the Israelites was that they would become complacent – that once they settled in the Promised Land and life was easier they would forget their dependence on God. And, unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened.
I want to learn from their example and avoid falling into the same trap.
“Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” (Psalm 103:2 NLT)
Life in the Spacious Place 
I similarly never what to forget the things that God has brought me through. I want to remember that He is bigger, and stronger, than anything that I may face in life. Thank you for sharing the Bible verses and encouragement. I am your Five Minute Friday neighbor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jolene! There is so much encouragement in remembering specific ways we have seen God helping us.
LikeLike
Journalling and keeping a diary can prove such an encouragement and give us a glimpse of God’s perspective, can’t they? To help us not forget His work in our lives.
God bless
Your FMF Neighbour #8
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’m grateful to have those journals to look back on!
LikeLike
Wonderful thoughtful post, Lesley. How easily I forget indeed…thank you for these lovely reminders.
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mitzy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never kept a journal,
which maybe was mistake;
mem’ry’s not eternal,
and for this beer-soaked flake
there’s a lot that has been lost
to time’s fast-swirling gyre,
and that brings a heavy cost
that makes regret build higher.
I can’t recall so many days
(like first seeing my wife);
gone are many hooks and stays
that once defined my life
that might well have returned when bidden
if only somewhere they’d been written.
Many rugger-caused concussions helped.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m sure you have many interesting stories to tell!
LikeLike
Great post, Lesley. We’re all too prone to forget, but it’s vital we remember God’s Word and how He has led us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Barbara! Yes, it is important to remember!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen, I love these lessons from Scripture!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Amanda!
LikeLike
Lesley, this is such a powerful reminder for me. I know I’ve read these warnings to the Israelites but how easily I forget them in easier days. Thanks so much for sharing. I’ve written that verse, PS 103:2, in my journal. Kath, your FMF neighbour at #4 this week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kath! I think we all need to be reminded.
LikeLike
We seem to have been on the same wavelength this week. I also wrote about looking through an old journal and reminiscing about all the things the Lord had done.
Visiting from #17
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sandra? Look forward to reading your post.
LikeLike
‘I don’t want to forget how hard it was, because it reminds me of God’s healing and it helps me empathise with others.’
No truer words have been spoken, Lesley. Praise God for redeeming all our pain so that we can be fully present with others in their grief.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Linda! It is so encouraging that God can use our pain for good.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing this, Lesley. I look back on those times when I made horrendous choices and never forget that it was God’s grace that brought me through the quagmire of my own making!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so important to remember where we’ve known God’s grace.
LikeLike
Great post, Lesley, thanks for your inspirational writing
Just stopped by from FMF #34
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Heather!
LikeLike
Thank you, Lesley. Amen and Amen. I have to admit that I write to process EVERYTHING. I also tend to keep it all, which might be great or embarrassing if I should ever have the time to read it all! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I write a lot to process as well. Most of it I will never read again – it just helps me at the time – but I am grateful to look back on old journals from time to time.
LikeLiked by 1 person