Remember What You Have Seen and Heard
9 “But watch out! 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. 10 Never forget the day when you stood before the Lord your God at Mount Sinai,[a] where he told me, ‘Summon the people before me, and I will personally instruct them. Then they will learn to fear me as long as they live, and they will teach their children to fear me also.’
11 “You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while flames from the mountain shot into the sky. The mountain was shrouded in black clouds and deep darkness. 12 And the Lord spoke to you from the heart of the fire. You heard the sound of his words but didn’t see his form; there was only a voice. 13 He proclaimed his covenant—the Ten Commandments[b]—which he commanded you to keep, and which he wrote on two stone tablets.
Don’t forget God’s revelation, his works, or his covenant. Pass it on to the next generation.
The Israelites first encounter with God was at Mount Sinai and that memory was filled with awe at the power of God as He set the mountain aflame and spoke in the thunder directly to Moses. It is that moment that they are encouraged to remember in Deuteronomy 4 and to recount to their children. After 40 years of wondering in the desert and now on the verge of entering the promise land, God wants them to remember who He is. Stepping into something new is always scary but if we can remember the powerful God who dwells within us, we will find courage to step out. And as we repeat the stories of those encounters with others we will inspire their faith as well as strengthen our own.
- Do you remember the first time you encountered Jesus?
- What happened?
- How did if feel?
- What images stand out in your mind?
- Did He say anything specific to you?
- Who can you tell these stories to?
PRAYER
Lord, help me remember my past encounters with you. Help me to know your character and trust that you are a good and powerful Father. And give me courage to face each new day and new direction.
