When was the last time you sat and meditated on God, reflecting on who He is and His power?
It’s so easy to get caught up in a spiral of just praying to God for the things we want while spending little to no time giving him praise and thanks just for who He is in our lives.
In this post, we will examine how God’s people throughout history have been prone to forgetting Him easily and what the Bible teaches about the importance of remembering God regularly.
THE IMPORTANCE OF REMEMBERING IN THE BIBLE
Webster’s dictionary defines the word remember as follows:
- to think of again, to recall
- to keep in mind for attention or consideration
- to retain in the memory
- to record or commemorate
The theme of remembrance runs throughout the Bible. In fact, Scripture mentions the word remember over 200 times! It is most often used in reference to remembering God.
This emphasis on remembering denotes that there were common occurrences of forgetting.
So, the question is, why is it so important for us to remember God regularly? What specifically does God want us to remember about Him? And why is it so easy and common to forget about God?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT REMEMBERING GOD?
As seen from its definition, remembering isn’t passive. It is a mental action that shifts our focus as we recollect.
All throughout Scripture, we see God Himself and his servants reminding His people to remember Him. God wants us to live in remembrance because so many things can cause us to forget Him and distract us from focusing on Him and living for Him.
God wants us to remember three key things about Him: who He is, what He has done, and what He has promised.
1. REMEMBER WHO GOD IS
The Bible clearly states God’s many attributes. He is the one and only omniscient (all-knowing), eternal Spirit.
God is holy, righteous, just, perfect, all-powerful, sovereign, unchangeable, wise, and self-sufficient. He is our redeemer, healer, protector, provider, and sustainer. He is also loving, compassionate, merciful, gracious, faithful, trustworthy, good, and true.
- He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV
- Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. Psalm 147:4-5 NIV
- I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27 NIV
- “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 NIV
- “To whom will you compare me? Or, who is my equal?”, says the Holy One. Isaiah 40:25 NIV
- I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. Isaiah 45:5 NIV
- Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? Exodus 15:11 NIV
He is the author, source, and sustainer of ALL things:
- For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Colossians 1:16-17 NLT
- All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’ Daniel 4:35 NLT
Because of who God is, He alone is to be exalted above everything else and is worthy of our worship and praise:
- Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Psalm 96:9 NIV
- But the Lord Almighty is exalted above all, for he alone is holy, just, and good. Isaiah 5:16 TLB
- “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11 NIV
Remembering who God is and His various attributes helps us keep everyone and everything else in our lives in their proper perspectives.
One of my favorite bible verses about remembering God is when Moses warned the Israelites about the type of mindset that could result from forgetting God:
When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
Deuteronomy 8:10-14, 17-18 NIV
When we forget who God is, we run the risk of easily falling into the sin of pride. We think that we are in control of our own lives and capable of making it on our own—without God. Then, we allow other things, people, and even ourselves to take the place of honor in our lives that God alone deserves.
Always remember that we serve the one and only true and living God of the universe and that everything good we have ever known – love, food, sex, laughter, money, friends, family, sleep, work, and success – comes from Him.
Our God loves and cares for us. He is always in control, and we can always trust Him!
Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, the LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!
Lamentations 3:21-24 NLT
2. REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE
Remembering what God has done in the past is essential for every Christian.
God often called the Israelites’ attention back to Himself by appealing to their memory of the former things He had done in their lives. Their journey from being slaves in the land of Egypt to conquering the promised land would not have been possible without God’s miracles or God’s provision.
- Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. Isaiah 46:9-10 NLT
- You may say to yourselves, “These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?” But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. Deuteronomy 7:17-18 NIV
- Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. 1 Chronicles 16:12 NIV
- My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord. Micah 6:5 NIV
To remember what God has done, we too are called to reflect on what He has done for his followers throughout biblical history to see examples of His love and power and to encourage us to continue serving Him faithfully. This is why it is vital for every Christian to spend time reading the Word of God.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.
Psalm 77:11-12 NIV
We must also reflect on our lives regularly, remembering our personal testimonies of what God has done for us as well. Apart from the Bible, our own story is evidence of the power of God that continues to transform lives today. And every Christian should praise God for the significant events of their past and proclaim His goodness to others:
- Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:12-13 NIV
- Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me. Psalm 103:2 TLB
- Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. Psalm 66:16 NIV
Since we don’t all have the same life experiences, we can also reflect on the testimonies of other believers we know as a testament to God’s power. Someone else may have had a financial breakthrough, experienced physical healing, gotten a long-awaited answer to prayer, been delivered from an addiction, or survived a tragic accident.
God is always at work in the world around us, so we never have to look too far to see His handiwork.
Scripture also advocates for the teaching of biblical history to upcoming generations. We are to teach our children about who God is and what He has done:
- Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV
- He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. Psalm 78:5-7 NIV
When we remember what God has done, in times of hardship, we can stop focusing on impossibilities and focus instead on the God through whom all things are possible.
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Luke 18:27 NIV
And in times of prosperity, it redirects our focus to give all glory, honor, and praise to its true source.
So, let us always remember God’s goodness and God’s faithfulness, and be grateful every day for unfailing love towards us.
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
Hebrews 13:15 NIV
3. REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS PROMISED
We must remember the promises of God. There are so many promises that God made throughout Scripture. Some were for specific individuals, some were for specific groups of people, and some were for the Nation of Israel as a whole.
Here I want us to reflect on 5 key promises that are universal for ALL Christians, that we should always keep in mind as we walk through our individual journeys.
1. God has promised to be with us always.
- “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b NIV
- Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35, 38-39 NIV
- Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself. 1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT
Our God doesn’t just sit on a throne in heaven, limiting His access to us. Unlike all other religions, we have a God who has promised to walk through life with us. His Spirit lives in us, and no matter the circumstances, NOTHING can separate us from the love of Christ! We have total access to God and can talk to Him anytime, anywhere. We are NEVER alone!
2. God has promised to fully equip us to live for Him.
- By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3 NLT
- All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
- For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
- I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13 NIV
God promised that every believer would be equipped with His Spirit and His Word. Together, they give us all the power and strength we need to live victorious lives in Christ. No matter how tough our Christian journey may get, we have an inner sufficiency that comes from God, which empowers us daily!
3. God has promised that all things work together for our good.
- And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT
- You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20 NIV
Even when we don’t understand what we are going through or why we are going through it, we can rest assured that God always remains in control of our lives. He has a plan and purpose for everything and can even turn bad situations around for our good.
4. God has promised to supply all of our needs.
- And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:30-33 NLT
- And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NLT
- I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. Psalm 37:25 ESV
We may not get everything we want in life, but as we continue serving Him, God has promised to take care of our needs! His provision may not look the way we want it to, but God ALWAYS takes care of those who belong to Him.
5. God has promised that we will spend eternity with Him.
- He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. Titus 3:6-7 NLT
- But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. Philippians 3:20-21 NLT
- Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 NLT
Our lives here on earth are just a temporary gift. Because of our relationship with Christ, we never have to fear death because we know that we have something far better to look forward to in eternity. Because of this promise, we can truly live every day with the hope of what is to come.
If we walk through life every day simply remembering these five promises, can you imagine how much more strength, confidence, motivation, joy, peace, and boldness we would have? Knowing we are never alone, that God has equipped us with the power to face anything life throws our way, that He will supply all our needs, that everything that happens will work for our good, and that our lives here on earth are only the beginning of the wonderful eternity that we will spend in His presence!
The beauty of remembering and reflecting on what God has promised is knowing that God cannot lie. We may forget Him sometimes, but God NEVER forgets us or His promises! He ALWAYS keeps His Word!
- God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Numbers 23:19 NLT
- Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. Joshua 23:14 NIV
- He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations. Psalm 105:8 NIV
REMEMBER GOD ALWAYS!
I pray that this post has helped you see the importance and power of remembering God. It is not something we should do only in church on Sundays, at a weekly bible study or prayer meeting, or a few times a year on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
God wants us to live in remembrance, and that requires action and discipline on our part.
We lose focus when we forget who God is, what He has done, and what He has promised. And when we lose focus on God, we get distracted – by life, things, other people, our own pride, and sin.
One of the most important benefits of remembering God is that it cultivates endurance. It strengthens our faith, keeps us spiritually encouraged, and gives us the strength to continue living for God boldly in a time when so many “Christians” are walking away from the faith and disregarding the Bible altogether.
We have all encountered the mighty works of the Lord either through reading Scripture or by witnessing them with our own eyes in our own lives or the lives of others. We are living proof and testimonies of God’s promises and power. Therefore, I encourage you to regularly read His Word, pray, meditate on His goodness, and truly remember Him. After all, God is more than worthy of being remembered, worshiped, and praised!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Psalm 150:6 NIV
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