DON’T FORGET WHERE YOU CAME FROM

The Power of Remembering God’s Faithfulness

One of the greatest sources of strength in the Christian life is remembering. Often, when we feel stuck, discouraged, or afraid, the way forward begins by looking back—back to where God has brought us from and the victories He has given us along the way.

1. Why Remembering Matters Spiritually

If you don’t take time to reflect on where God has brought you from, it becomes easy to fall into a life of complaints and hopelessness. Remembering isn’t just about recalling facts—it’s an act of faith. It’s a spiritual discipline that keeps our hearts grounded in God’s character.

Lamentations 3:21–23 
“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

Just like the prophet Jeremiah, we find hope not in our circumstances, but in recalling God’s mercy and past faithfulness.

2. Remembering Fuels Faith for Today

When you remember how God helped you before, your faith is strengthened to believe He will help you again. That’s why testimony is so powerful—it’s faith with a memory.

Hebrews 13:8 
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

The God who healed you last year, provided for you last month, or delivered you from danger before—He hasn’t changed. His nature is consistent, and His power endures.

3. Forgetting Leads to Fear and Sin

The Israelites, despite seeing God’s mighty works in Egypt—plagues, the Red Sea parting, water from a rock—quickly forgot His power. So when they faced new challenges, like the giants in Canaan, they panicked.

Numbers 13:33 
“There we saw the giants… and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

This fear wasn’t because their enemies were stronger—it was because they forgot how powerful their God was.

Psalm 78:11–13 
“They forgot His works and His wonders that He had shown them… He divided the sea and caused them to pass through.”

When we forget what God has done, we start to rely on ourselves—and that always leads to fear or failure.

4. Theology of Remembering: A Spiritual Discipline

In the Old Testament, clean animals were those that “chewed the cud”—animals like cows that bring back what they ate, chew it again, and digest it fully. Spiritually, that’s what meditation is: bringing back what God has done, thinking deeply on it, and letting it strengthen your inner man.

Leviticus 11:3 
“Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud—that you may eat.”

This is a picture of spiritual maturity. Christians are called to meditate on God’s past deeds, not just once, but repeatedly.

Psalm 77:11–12 
“I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.”

5. Lessons from Israel: A Warning for Today’s Believers

Paul teaches that the mistakes of Israel were recorded not just as history, but as a warning to us.

1 Corinthians 10:11–12 
“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition… Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

We are told not to repeat their error of forgetfulness, complaining, or doubt.

1 Corinthians 10:9–10 
“Nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.”

6. When You Face a New Challenge—Remember

Whether it’s sickness, financial difficulty, danger, or fear—don’t panic. Remember how God delivered you before. That memory isn’t just comforting; it’s a weapon of faith.

Psalm 103:2–4 
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction…”

Even in battle, God reminded His people to remember how He defeated Pharaoh, and that He would do it again:

Deuteronomy 7:18–19 
“You shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt… so shall the Lord your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.”

Remembering is Fuel for Faith

To move forward in victory, you must look back with purpose. Your past victories with God are proof that He’s not finished with you yet. His goodness doesn’t expire.

So when you’re tested, remember. When you’re afraid, remember. When you’re tempted to give up, remember.

Psalm 77:14 
“You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples.”

May the Lord bless you and help you to remember His mighty works—so that your faith may grow, your strength may rise, and your heart may stay firm in every trial.

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