October gathering notes

In October our theme was on remembering.  Many parents mention being afraid that their babies will be forgotten as time goes on.  Sometimes they almost make themselves stay in grief to honor their babies.  Yet we have been promised abundant life, so it has to be possible to remember and move on at the same time.

"Remember" is used 233 times in the Bible (NIV).  Remembering is obviously very important to God!

Genesis 9:15-16  God will remember His covenant not to flood the entire earth.  His sign - the rainbow.  God made a covenant with Noah, and later with Moses.  The covenant with Moses was broken by the people repeatedly, yet God did not forget His part.  He remembered and stayed true to His word.

Exodus 17:8-16  The Amalekites were defeated by Joshua.  Joshua was told to write it down so he would not forget.  Isn't it easy to forget how God delivered us in the past when a new difficulty comes up in our lives?  Write it down, tell you friends, figure out a way to remember.  Seeing a pattern of His provision and deliverance will help next time you wonder if He's able to take care of a situation.

Leviticus 26:40-45  God WILL remember His covenant with Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, etc.  Again, the people forget, disobey, etc., but God does not, will not, and cannot change.  He will keep His covenant.  He remembers.

Deuteronomy 5:15  We are told to remember the Sabbath - a day set apart.  We are to remember how God delivered His people from Egypt.  Reread that story...if it was not in the Bible I'd doubt if it was even true!  God's ways are so far above our ways.  If He can deliver slaves from a powerful king, surely He can deliver us from our situations of despair.

Esther 9:26-28  The people were told to celebrate two days every year, to remember how God, through Esther, saved the Jews from destruction.

Psalm 77  Affliction...pain...but I will (choose to) remember God's miracles, mighty deeds, etc.  In the midst of hard times we are called to remember His goodness.  After all, He doesn't change, so we can count on His goodness to reign right now...even if we can't see past the pain yet.

Psalm 105:5  "Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He has pronounced."

Psalm 111:4-5  He causes us to remember His goodness; He remembers His covenant forever.  If you're struggling to remember His goodness, ask Him - He'll help you remember.

Ezekiel 16:22-61  Even when we forget, and don't honor our promises to God, even then He will remember His promises to us.

Gospels  Jesus often says to remember - remember miracles, promises, provision, etc.

Remembering God's goodness, provision, mercy, and deliverance is a great weapon against Satan's attacks.  Find blessings in the midst of pain - it doesn't make you glad for the loss, just helps you gain a Godly perspective, and ultimately gives God the glory instead of the enemy.