Do You Remember?

"For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”  In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.'”

1 Corinthians 11: 23-25

 

As a country we celebrate, mourn, and remember the lives of brave veterans that have sacrificed their lives on behalf of the freedoms we enjoy as American citizens.  There is no sufficient phrase that satisfactorily expresses the true gratitude of such a act.  Even the Lord Jesus tells us that, "Greater love have no one than this; than to lay down his life for a friend" (John 15:13).  Today we memorialize those that have fulfilled their call of duty that cost their life.  We remember, we pay tribute, and we use today as a marker to set aside one day on the calendar to reflect on the honorable commitments of our veterans.  A memorial serves to bring to remembrance or to recall a person or event that is worthy of adoration.  Something in the past that is worthy of praise and acknowledgment.  The Lord Jesus calls His disciples to remembrance in the establishment of the Lord's Supper.  Also called the Eucharist, and commonly known by believers today by Communion, we take a portion of juice and bread, symbolizing Jesus' body being broken and blood being shed for our sins on the cross, as we remember the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior. and His resurrection that brings to us hope and eternal life  Memorials are a common theme throughout the word of God.  Jacob uses a stone to set up a memorial after having a life transforming dream about angels ascending and descending on a ladder from heaven (Gen. 28).  And Joshua follows the Lord's instructions to set up a memorial of 12 stones at the bank of the Jordan River, after the Lord had miraculously dried the water of the river enabling the Israelites to cross (Josh. 4).  Just as Americans set aside today to honor past actions pointing back to the heroism of fallen veterans, the Bible makes much of memorials pointing to the provisional work of God Almighty.  There are times in our lives, that as we reflect, events are brought to memory of times the Lord worked miracles in our lives as well.  Maybe he saved your from hurt or harm, maybe He redeemed your life from the pit, saved your marriage, broken a stronghold, or reconciled your relationships.  Overwhelming gratitude comes when we remember the graceful and merciful actions in which our Savior intervened in our lives in miraculous ways.  The question is how do we memorialize those actions?  It is often easy to forget the things God has done for us in our past, which can easily cause us to be anxious when difficulties and trials inevitably arise yet again in life.  It is an important theme in the Bible to memorialize past actions of God's interventions during challenges.  How are you doing this?  We can keep prayer journals to look back on the faithfulness of Jesus, set up posters, signs, and devotional notes during study or mediation.  There are endless ways to bring to remembrance things that God has done for you in the past, the important part is doing it, and in that way we can rest in Jesus knowing that He is always with us at every point of our lives.  Love you all!  Praying for you and yours!  Have a blessed day, it's your choice!