DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Remember and Commemorate
by Michael Guastella
The Israelites were about to embark on a journey that would forever change their lives. They were leaving Egypt, a land of oppression and suffering, and heading towards the Promised Land, a place of freedom and abundance, and full of God’s love. As they prepared to leave, we see God give them specific instructions: remember and commemorate this day.
The command to remember and commemorate is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. It’s a reminder that our past shapes our present and future. It’s an invitation to reflect on God’s faithfulness and to anticipate His future plans.
It is a way of reflecting, as if to say, “We were slaves, but now we are free. We were lost, but now we are found.” By remembering their past, the Israelites were able to appreciate the present and look forward to the future with hope.
For us today, remembering and commemorating can take many forms. It might involve attending church services, reading the Bible, or participating in religious rituals. It might also involve taking time to reflect on our own personal journeys and acknowledging God’s presence in our lives.
As we reflect, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness. We are reminded that He has been with us in the past, and He will continue to be with us in the future. We are also reminded of the importance of hope. Even when we are facing challenges, we can look to the future with confidence, knowing that God has a plan for our lives.
We see that the Israelites were also commanded to teach their children about the Exodus, to ensure that the memory of God’s deliverance would be passed down from generation to generation, and that the promise of God’s faithfulness would be engrained throughout every family’s bloodline.
For us today, that tradition remains the same: teaching our children about God’s faithfulness is an essential part of our spiritual lives; just as it was to the Israelites.
As we remember and commemorate the Exodus, let us also be mindful of our own personal journeys and struggles. Let us take time to reflect on God’s faithfulness in our lives and to give thanks for His blessings. Let us also look to the future with hope, knowing that God has a plan for us. And let us teach our children about God’s love and faithfulness, so that they too may experience the joy of knowing Him.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank-you for the model you set in place for those of the past and for us. We need to teach our children about you, take them to your house and encourage participation in the Christian activities of the church. Help us to live up to that, so our children may know you. Amen.
There are a number of take-aways for me this morning, but the one I noted in my journal was, "our past shapes our present and our future." I have been reflecting on this very concept lately. Thank you for putting it into context this morning.
Welcome aboard this writing team!
Good job, Michael. You write very well.