Isaiah 46:9 “Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.”
To Remember means to bring to mind, to become aware of, to focus on, to take into account, or to meditate on something. It starts in our minds and may be expressed in words or actions.
Interestingly, today’s text asks us to “remember the former things…” in contrast to Isaiah 43:18 which states, “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old…”
There are things that God wants you to forget and things that He wants you to remember. For instance, He does not want you to remember past failures, sins, and times when you were bound to sin. However, God wants you to remember and tell of the victories that He won for you and of His power at work in you.
Human by nature is forgetful, especially when good times come. For this reason, when the children of Israel passed through the wilderness, God kept stressing to their fathers, to keep records and remember His faithfulness and the wonders that He performed for them by way of festivals, symbols and telling their stories from generation to generation.
It’s easy for people to forget, hence God commands us to remember. Unfortunately, people find it easier to remember bad things over good things. All the more reason to put in more effort into remembering the good.
7 things that God wants us to Remember
- Remember God in your Trial
Jonah 2:7 “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord…”
A time of trial can be dark and difficult, but you must remember that God is able. In all your attempts to get a solution, remember God, His ability, faithfulness and the truth that He can’t fail.
No matter what you are going through, God is able to deliver you. As Shadrach, and his two friends in Daniel 3 said to Nebuchadnezzar. “Our God is able to deliver us.” Men may fail, but God cannot.
- Remember God when you are doing well
Eccl 12:1 “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth…”
Many people are running around because of their careers, businesses, and other concerns and they do not have enough time for God. A time will come when they would wish they had done things differently and had more time.
Youth is not about advancing in age or spending your thriving days looking good; rather use your time, wisdom, strength, and ability for God. Caleb at 85 years old said, “Give me this mountain, I’m still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out” (Josh 14:12).
The thriving days are not a time to spend on yourself building your ego. It is a time to use your treasure, talents and time to glorify the Lord!
- Remember God in your Temper
Psalm 4:4 “Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still”
Many people feel that their anger justifies a vicious response, and so they use hurtful words and regrettable actions are committed in the heat of their fury. At times, some Christians go as far as saying, “Please leave God out of this, I’m too angry, even God knows!”
However, God would have us remember Him even in our anger. Consider this: God also gets angry, but in His anger, He doesn’t forget that He is God, His attributes or purpose. He still tempers justice with mercy.
He wants us to be like Him and not a people controlled by their temper. Many have walked out of relationships, careers, ministry, and opportunities in their anger and offence, forgetting the God who started with them.
At a time that He should have been angry, Jesus still treated men with love. Even at the point of death on the cross, He prayed, “Father forgive them.” Thus, it is possible to be angry and not sin!
I pray that like Jonah lifted his prayers to God when his soul was fainting and God answered him, you will remember and trust in the faithfulness of God to deliver you in times of trials. May your youthful days and talents never go to waste and may your time be put into redemptive use in Jesus name. I pray that today’s anger will not rob you of your future blessings.
In your moments of anger, may you be able to refrain from doing or saying what will cause you to regret in Jesus Name. Amen!