Key Verse: “Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your grandchildren.” (Deuteronomy 4:9 CSB)
Amnesia is a condition, typically caused by injury, illness, disease or even substance abuse, in which a person experiences temporary or permanent memory loss. Depending on its form, the individual may be unable to either recall memories from the past or to formulate new ones going forward.
As the people of Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses gave them some final instructions. Their primary responsibility was to walk in obedience to the Lord. They were to “listen to the statutes and ordinances” (v.1), “keep the commands of the Lord” (v.2), and “carefully follow them” (v.6). The way for the people to demonstrate their faithfulness to God and to experience the joy of all that was before them was through diligent obedience.
But with this call to faithfulness also came a warning. “Be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves,” Moses told them. Be very careful. Watch out, “so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind” (v.9).
The people of Israel had seen God perform many miracles on their behalf. He delivered them from slavery in Egypt. He parted the Red Sea. He provided for them every single day and rescued them from the hands of their enemies. As Moses had testified, “For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can perform deeds and mighty acts like yours? (Deuteronomy 3:24)
One of the keys for the people to remain faithful to the Lord was by guarding themselves against a form of spiritual amnesia. They needed to ensure that they did not forget all that they had already experienced and seen God do. As long as they lived, the work of God needed to remain in the forefront of their minds and the generations to come.
In the same way, one of the keys to ensuring that our faith in God continues to grow and remain strong is by recalling all that He has done previously. This is why we need to diligently read the Bible and meditate again on the stories of our faith. It helps us remember.
When we find ourselves in a moment of doubt or a season when the fires of our faith seems to have dwindled, we need to stop and consider again all that God has done. It ensures that the truth of who God is and His mighty works do not slip from our mind and cause us to turn away from Him.
Are you prone to spiritual forgetfulness? Stop today to remember the mighty things that God has done for you and all His people. Meditate again on the mighty work of Jesus for you on the Cross. Remember, God has not changed. What God has done previously, He is still able to do today. He is faithful to who He is and all that He promises.
Prayer: God, there is no one in heaven or on earth who can do what you are able to do. Remind me again today of your mighty power and faithfulness. Help me to guard my heart today and to keep a close watch on my soul, lest I forget your mighty works and turn away from you. Thank you, Jesus, for all that you have done for me. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
