There’s something sacred about memory. God gave us the gift of remembering not just to hold onto facts or dates, but to anchor us in His truth, His faithfulness, and His love. Throughout the Bible, He tells us to remember certain things—and just as importantly, to forget others. There is power in both.
God calls us to forget and forgive certain things for our own healing and growth.
Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:13 (NLT), “But I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” There are wounds, failures, and sins—both ours and others’—that we must learn to release. Holding onto them is like dragging dead weight through life. Forgiveness is the first step, but forgetting—in the biblical sense—is choosing not to dwell on them anymore. It’s deciding not to let them shape our future. Isaiah 43:25 (NLT) captures God's heart when He says, “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.” What a beautiful model for us to follow.
But just as clearly, God tells us to remember, no book in the Bible makes this clearer than Deuteronomy, Moses’ final sermon to the Israelites. As they stood on the edge of the Promised Land, God gave them a vital command: “Do not forget.” He repeats it again and again. Why? Because forgetting leads to drifting. And drifting most often happens in times of comfort.
One of the most explicit warnings God gives is this: When things finally get good—when you’re blessed, safe, satisfied-be careful not to forget Me. That’s when forgetfulness becomes most dangerous. The irony is this: the very blessings we pray for can become the beginning of our spiritual forgetfulness if we’re not vigilant. This was Israel’s greatest and most repeated sin and failure—drifting from the Lord when they got comfortable.
Let me share with you a few passages that have deeply spoken to me over the years, and I’ll frame them as if God were speaking them directly to me—and perhaps, to you too.
Deuteronomy 4:9 (NLT) “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you have seen with your own eyes. 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.”
Tim, remember what I’ve done for you. The doors I opened. The times I protected you when you didn’t even know it—the quiet moments when you felt My presence. Don’t let those fade. They are not just your testimony—they are your legacy. Pass them on.
Deuteronomy 6:12 (NLT) “Be careful not to forget the Lord, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.”
Tim, you’ve had your own Egypt—seasons of struggle, fear, and bondage. But I pulled you out. I set you free. Don’t ever get so comfortable in the Promised Land that you forget how far I’ve brought you.
Deuteronomy 8:11 (NIV) “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands…”
Tim, Obedience isn’t just about rules—it’s how you remember Me. It’s how you honor Me. When you walk in My ways, you’re living out your remembrance of Me.
Deuteronomy 8:14 (ESV) “…then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt…”
Tim, when life is good and your heart feels strong, don’t lose sight of me. That’s the moment when many forget. Don’t let your comfort become the reason you drift.
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NLT) “Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful…”
Tim, your strength? Your insight? Your influence? That’s my gift to you. Not for your glory, but for My purposes. Stay humble, stay grateful.
Remembering is powerful. It grounds us. It brings gratitude. It stirs faith. It helps us pass on the truth to the next generation. But forgetting—when directed by God—is also powerful. It sets us free from bitterness, guilt, and shame.
So today, I’m choosing both: the power of forgetting and remembering.
It’s easy to point out Israel’s most repeated failure—getting comfortable, then forgetting God. But let’s be honest: that’s still one of the greatest failures among Christians today. We celebrate victories, enjoy the blessings, and slowly drift from the One who gave them. God doesn’t just want us to fight the battles—He wants us to stay faithful after the battles are won.
In contrast, listen to the heart of Isaiah: “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do His will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.” (Isaiah 50:7 NLT)
That’s what God is talking about and looking for—men and women whose hearts are set like stone, determined to remember and do His will, and then let the appreciation of God's blessing train us to remember and share God's goodness and source of light and testimony to the world around you!
