Remember

The study of Nehemiah has really been an adventure...an eye opening walk into places I've visited by not really camped upon.  After the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt and those who were taken into bondage were allowed to return their home, Ezra opened the book of Moses and read to them from the town square. All the people listened and understood.

A revelation occurred to them on this occasion...the seventh month, the seventh day...a day God set aside to remember the time he rescued them from Egypt.  This week was to be spent in booths...a way to remember how God was with them through a really rough time.  What it must have meant to them...having just been released from bondage of Nebuchadnezzar.  What a reminder this must have been...God is with us.

Today, we have set aside ways to remember the great things God has done for His people.  We remember how he gave His life as a ransom, a perfect sacrificial lamb, given to us for our sin through the communion service, or the Lord's Supper.  We also remember Him through the steps of baptism and how we become a new man, washed in the blood of Jesus.

Yet, what do we do to remember the wilderness walks?  The times when we felt alone on an undesirable journey?  He never left us.  As a matter of fact, He led us through it.  Yet, we would much rather forget the bad stuff.  Who wants to talk about it?  Who wants to relive it? 

This walk with Nehemiah has reminded me that it is important to remember those times.  My God never left me in those periods.  During the times of loss, the times of financial need, sickness, etc.  my Savior walked me through it.  I'm almost ashamed of myself.  I need to remember those times and to sing praise to the One that led me through the Valley. 

I no longer dwell on those places, yet I must not forget them either.