Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Deuteronomy 16-18
Devotional Thought:
[While Pastor Berlin is away on vacation, Pastor Weigle is perpetuating this week’s Faith’s Focus.]
How many times have you called out to your spouse, your kids, or a friend, “Don’t forget…” or “Remember to…” as you or they are about to head out the door? Conversations, appointments, and instructions are easily lost unless we are reminded to think about them one more time. The whole book of Deuteronomy is geared in this way, but today we read that God sets up a structured plan for His people to remember the things God had done in for them.
The primary thing that God wanted Israel to remember and celebrate annually with a feast, was the Passover. This is specifically referring to the time that God saved Israel from their slavery and oppression in Egypt. He brought them out and made them a nation of His own people. No longer mistreated by the God-hating taskmasters, they would now be loved and cared for by God Himself.
How often do you remember your salvation? From what kind of slavery did God in essence free you? How has He demonstrated to you that you belong to Him – that you’re part of His family now?
Psalm 103:2 says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” Unless we remind ourselves to not forget what God has done in our lives, we will never share them with our family, or friends, or to those who do not know the goodness of our God.
“Don’t Forget” [a song by Mac Lynch]
Don’t forget all He’s done. Don’t forget vict’ries won.
Don’t forget, in the race, He gave strength for the run.
Don’t forget Jesus’ care. Don’t forget answered prayer.
Don’t forget, don’t forget, you saw His hand everywhere.
Remember your Lord God, Jehovah. Remember how much you were changed by His Word.
Forget not the days He taught you to praise, though hard seemed the way of the Lord.
Remember how far that He took you when He gave you a hunger to abide.
Oh, don’t turn Him away; He bids you to stay right where you belong at His side.
How the time has flown by, and the mem’ries have died.
I’ve forgotten the joy when in Him I abide.
How I long for the day when His strength was my stay.
Lord, forgive, Lord, renew, Lord, revive me today.
Personal
• Lord, please forgive me for not remembering all the benefits of being your child. Help me to remember you and your goodness so that my love for you remains strong.
• Help me, Lord, to remember that the goodness of God leads men to repentance (Romans 2:4) so that I will boldly and joyfully talk about you to the world around me.
• Please help me lead my family to take notice and remember the prayers you have answered and the lessons you have taught and the blessings you have freely given to us.