Scripture Reading- Deuteronomy 8:1-6
A. This morning we saw that remembering God’s works, or what He has done, strengthens faith.
B. Tonight we look at the other two commands: Remember who God is Remember what God has said These two forms of remembering can help anchor the soul.
A. (Psalm 103:1–5) David lists God’s character (or personality): He forgives He heals He redeems He crowns He satisfies
B. Forgetting God’s character leads to spiritual instability
1. When we forget who God is: We act like orphans We panic We complain We try to control everything We lose joy
C. Remembering God’s character stabilizes the soul
1. David says: “Bless the LORD, O my soul…” “Forget not all His benefits…”
2. He is preaching to himself.
D. Application: When fear rises, rehearse God’s attributes out loud: “God is faithful.” “God is merciful.” “God is sovereign.” (has supreme authority to rule and command) “God is good.” “God is near.” “God is just and righteous.” Your mouth can lead your mind back to truth.
A. (Joshua 1:5-9 – Read [God reminds Joshua that all the land they walk on He has given them.]; Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”; James 1:21 “…the engrafted word…”)
B. God’s Word is not just information
1. It is: Anchor Weapon Light Life Strength Wisdom
C. Forgetting Scripture leads to drifting
1. When you forget God’s Word: Temptation looks stronger Fear looks bigger Sin looks easier Obedience looks harder
D. Remembering Scripture leads to courage and obedience
1. Joshua 1:8 — meditate day and night 2. Psalm 119:11 — hide the Word in your heart
3. James 1:21 – the engrafted Word, i.e. acts a stem of support as you mature
E. Application: Memorize one or more verses a week.
1. Start with Psalm 56:3 — “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” The Hebrew word for afraid, lawcham, can mean to revere. Meaning, when we give fear and doubt power in our mind by revering it we should, bawtak, or run to God and hide in Him for refuge.
2. Don’t just simply memorize God’s Word: Study it Learn it Know it Apply it.
A. Remember the Covenant Genesis 9:15–16 After the flood, God promises to never destroy the Earth again with water. He says He will never forgot it and He even leaves a sign for them to remember (the rainbow). Exodus 2:24 While the children of Israel where slaves in Egypt, God remembered His covenant with Abrahma, Isaac, and Jacob. Psalm 105:8 God remembers His covenant — and calls us to remember the His new covenant. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Galatians 3:1-26
B. Remember God’s Blessings Deuteronomy 8:18 God tells the Israelites to remember Him. Verse 19, He tells them if they forgot and follow after idols they will perish. James 1:17 Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” Gratitude grows when memory is active and committed or fervent. zeō; dzeh'-o; A primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), that is, (figuratively) be fervid (earnest): - be fervent. Total KJV occurrences: 2 (Acts 18:25; Romans 12:11) energeō (energy); en-erg-eh'-o; to be active, efficient: - do, (be) effectual (fervent), be mighty in, shew forth self, work (effectually in). Total KJV occurrences: 21 (James 16, energy; I Peter 4:8)
C. Remember God’s Discipline Deuteronomy 8:5 “Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.” Hebrews 12:5 “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:” Discipline is not punishment — it is proof of sonship.
D. Remember Not to Return to Sin Deuteronomy 9:7 “Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.” Ezekiel 16:60–63 – Read James 4:1-10 – Read Memory protects holiness.
A. The Christian life is not built on feelings — it is built on remembering. When you remember: Fear loses power Gratitude grows Obedience strengthens Worship deepens
B. Invitation: Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess, Be immersed, Live faithful