Remembering

Today is Remembrance Day - a day when we pause to remember the lives sacrificed and the suffering of two world wars. It is a poignant time as we recall the pictures of those family members who died in these conflicts and others too. It is also a time when we try to learn the lessons and mistakes of the past.
 
Remembering can also be a happy time. My laptop sometimes comes up with a message ‘Look back at your memories’. It is referring to the photos that I have saved which remind me of memorable occasions and people and beautiful landscapes.
The Israelites were instructed by God to set up memorial stones and special days to remember God’s special provisions, rescues and victories. They keep these festivals today to remind them of God’s faithfulness throughout their history.
 
I love the song composed by Jenn Johnson in 2019 as she was driving. She sang the lyrics into her phone as she was giving thanks to God for the adoption of her fourth child. It starts with ‘I love you Lord, Oh your mercy never fails me’. The chorus reflects the testimony of many millions throughout the ages. ‘All my life you have  been faithful, and all my life you have been so, so good’. It is my testimony too! Despite the many times I have let Him down, He has been always faithful to me.
Jesus gave His disciples just one act of remembrance to observe formally. It was at the last supper he had with his close friends. It is called Eucharist or Holy Communion or The Lord’s supper or the Breaking of Bread. We commemorate His sacrifice by sharing bread and wine because He said ‘Do this in remembrance of me!’ As we do this we give thanks and worship for His sacrifice to make us right with our heavenly Father.
 
Another phrase from Jenn Johnson’s song sums up our reasonable response as we remember, ‘With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God’.
Why not play it on You tube and remember and worship!  
Ian Jepps