FAITH AND REMEMBERING
We frequently forget what we should remember and remember what we should forget. As we’ll see, God was about to cut a solemn, planet-changing covenant with Abraham. But before he does so, the Lord reminds Abraham of what He has done (brought him out of Ur of the Chaldees) and what His purpose and calling was (to give you this land to take possession of it). God’s promise of a land and a people in the future was linked to what Abraham had already experienced in his history. The language used here would be repeated hundreds of years later when the covenant was made with Moses and the Hebrews: that pattern is, ‘I have done and so I will do’ (Exod. 20:1-21).
Faith is strengthened by memory and gratitude. And it’s not just that we look back at our own personal, individual lives and recall God’s activity – some of us have great stories of the Lord’s speaking and intervention, and frankly, many of us do not. We hear others describing a healing, or episodes of dramatic guidance, and we wish we had similar stories to tell. But what we all have is the ability to look back at the cross and resurrection of Christ, as He gave Himself for each one of us. Again, prior to doing that, He gave us a means of remembering: the communion meal. Sharing that bread and wine is not only an act of fellowship, but a means of strengthening faith. Let’s not neglect that remembrance feast. As we remember what has been, we anticipate what might and will be.