Have you ever forgotten something? This question is obviously rhetorical because it is impossible for you to have never forgotten something. A more pertinent question would be, how often do you forget important things? To be more precise, how often do you forget what God has done for you in the past?
A man named Robert Fong said that, “Truth is not only that which awaits discovery, but also that which was once known and is now threatened by forgetfulness.” Truth and objective truth for that fact is important. Jesus said in the scriptures that truth is what sets or makes us free (John 8:32) and it is also what sanctifies or makes us holy. (John 17:17). The truth surely doesn’t stop here. One of the most marvelous things Jesus ever said is that He Himself is the very embodiment of truth. (John 14:6).
It is not a bad thing to forget the things that are negative in this life and especially those things that reopen wounds that have healed. It is however a bad thing to forget the truths that God has so painstakingly made known to us through His son Jesus Christ. The Israelites of old were guilty of this sin. The Psalmist records in the 106th division of their experience in Egypt where they were in bondage and how the Lord from that time onwards wrought a multitude of miracles and wonders for them nevertheless they often forgot these truths.
From the time Moses was chosen to be their leader, the Israelites were mightily saved by the hand of the Lord. God showed His mercy, salvation and grace to them time and time again but sadly enough it is recorded that the Israelites “murmured in the their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord.” (Psalm 106:25). Their sin of complaining was so evil and provocative that it even caused the prophet of the Lord (Moses) to sin against God! (Psalm 106:32, 33). Despite all of this rebellion, God remembered His covenant with their ancestors and continued to show them unmerited favour and goodness when they called out to Him for help. (Psalm 106:44, 45)
This is the record that the Israelites left behind for us to learn in biblical history and we would do well to take heed and not forget all the benefits of the Lord. Nothing new happens under the sun and it is sad if you know to only then forget the truths of God’s word by repeating the dreaded sins of ancient Israel. The pen of inspiration states that, “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.”—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 196 (1902).
Today, choose not to forget the truth. Choose not to forget the way God has come through for you a countless times! Simply put, always remember Jesus who is the truth!
