Sometimes the gravest sin we commit is the sin of forgetting.
How do you remember what God has done for you? This is more than simply recollecting memories from years ago, but do you have anything tangible that you can see as a memorial for what God has done? Throughout the Hebrew Bible, God’s people often created altars or memorials at certain places to commemorate how God has shown up in their story. The book of Deuteronomy is Moses’ second giving of the Law to the second generation of Hebrews who came out of Egypt. Throughout the book he warns that if they forget Yahweh and the wonders He performed for them, it will not go well for them in the Promised Land. There is also the command to teach future generations about Yahweh; never take for granted that people “know” about God, you have to teach children about Him. How do we do that? Teach them about what He’s done. And this is how people in Scripture stayed in communion with Him. Whenever a generation did not teach their children about Him, the people went astray. And that is what we are seeing in our youth now. Adults have done a poor job being a witness to God. To teach is not simply to tell but it is to show. You have to show God. And that seems outlandish since God is Spirit and technically cannot be seen, but God doesn’t make sense—though He is invisible He can clearly be seen.
As a token of appreciation for God’s promise to him, Abraham planted a tamarisk tree. Jacob built an altar and anointed it after his encounters with God. As a reminder for how God made a way in the wilderness, Moses stored a jar of manna, the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, and Aaron’s budding rod inside the Ark of the Covenant. Samuel set up a stone, anointed it and called it Ebenezer because “up until this point, Yahweh has helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). Another theme that shows up throughout the Hebrew Bible is the naming of places and people as signs of what happened and the story someone is to live out. The purpose of remembering is to remind us of the faithfulness of God when a new obstacle arises. It is also a witness to future generations about what God has done in the past and what He will do in their lifetime.
Have we done a good job remembering God or have we simply been living day to day? Is there anything in our homes or yards that we have set up to remind us that God has fought for us? One of my memorial stones is my journal. I’ve been journaling for about four years now and looking back I can see how many prayers God answered, how many doors opened and closed, the transitions, and things that used to worry me. Looking back at my journals I see how much I’ve grown. how my thoughts and feelings have matured. ways I went wrong, and I see pages that are stained with tears. Each year God saw and did something about that particular situation. I don’t need apologetics or “proof” of the existence of God. My memorial stones—my journals— are all I need to know that I’m not alone. Based off my memorial stones up until now God has been with me, God has walked with me, He’s talked with me, He’s held me, He’s wiped my tears away, He’s blessed me, He’s kept me, He’s loved me, and He’s healed me.
And God will heal me again.
Up until this point God has been our help. This is the last Saturday of Black History Month. This month is all about remembering. Carter G. Woodson, father of Black History Week, knew that we don’t need much time set aside to remember if remembering is part of what you do. And for those who don’t understand, no “they” didn’t give us the shortest month of the year to honor our heritage, we chose this month because it’s the most unique and honoring our heritage should be done all year anyway. This month is simply the reminder to remember. Never forget where we come from. It’s not about focusing on the evils we endured, but it’s about remembering the perseverance of our ancestors and the God who guided them each step of the way. Black history is filled with memorial stones of how God visited those forcibly exiled melanated folk of West Africa, despite where they were led off to—Europe, the Americas. the Caribbean, God went with them, even when they didn’t know His name. He is the God who guided Black Moses on the Underground Railroad. He is the God who marched with Martin, who sings with Stevie, He was Fredrick’s hope, and He sat with Rosa. He walked Ruby Bridges to school each day, and ran with Wilma. If we don’t remember what God has done, we will forget what He can do.
I challenge you to start setting up memorial stones. And these can be literal stones: get a jar and each time God makes a way for you, drop a stone. Bills paid for the month? Drop a stone. He opened a door you thought impossible? Drop a stone. Have you been healed? Drop a stone. And place the jar in an open space so that when people ask why you’re collecting rocks, you can teach them about God.
Until next time, continue to stay guided by grace,
Tra
Also, take time today and say a prayer for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and those who are subject to tyranny and evil.
Guided by Grace 