Dear Brethren,

A Biblical Duty to Remember

Few of us would ever think of remembering as being a duty. This is especially so since forgetting seems to be so human. After all, when one fails to keep a promise or do a duty, the excuse of forgetfulness seems to be so easily acceptable. However, the fact that remembering is indeed a biblical duty can be shown from the Bible:

(1) Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy (Exodus 20:8)
(2) Remember our Creator in the days of our youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
(3) Remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17:32)
(4) Remember the Lord Jesus’ death (Luke 22:19)
(5) Remember the poor (Galatians 2:10)
(6) Remember those who have rule over us (Hebrews 13:7)
(7) Remember how we had received the Word of God (Revelation 3:3)

Standing at the threshold of the Promised Land, Moses called the children of Israel to remember God’s faithfulness and deliverance (Deuteronomy 2:30). He called them also to remember their past sin and rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7). And he called them to remember God’s acts of temporal judgements against them (Deuteronomy 24:9).

Remembering God’s Grace and Faithfulness in 2012

Today is the last Lord’s Day in 2012. By the grace of God, we are gathered together in worship of our loving and faithful God. What do you remember in 2012 as you come to the Lord’s House today? Is it the new handphone or TV that you purchased? Or the beautiful car or house you bought? Or the good exam grades or bonus that you achieved? It will be sad to end the year with our eyes fixed on the material and temporal things of this world.

Firstly, we ought to remember that it is by the grace of God that we are kept in the faith and walking in His way. Many have fallen and backslided to love the world. This remembrance will drive us to cling on to the Lord and plead for His mercy to preserve us.

Secondly, we ought to remember the provision of our daily needs for this year 2012. God has never forsaken us and has always provided for His children. Some may be poor in our midst but God has never left you in hunger without food and shelter. This remembrance ought to help us to trust God more for the new year 2013 that He will always take care of us.

Thirdly, we ought to remember the trials of this year 2012 and God has delivered us from each one of them. When you were going through it, it seemed impossible for help and deliverance to come but God always came to you in the time of your need and desperation. This remembrance ought to remind you that with God, all things are possible. No trial in life is beyond the help of God.

Fourthly, remember the days we have fallen into sin in 2012 and how miserable were those days till we repented and received the forgiveness of God. This remembrance must drive us to flee from sins and pray for God to deliver us from every besetting sin.

Last, but not least, we remember as a Church, that God has been pleased to use us and keep us together despite many struggles and difficulties. We thank God for the provision of Changi Bethany Church when we need to move out of Bethany Evangelical Free Church. We thank God for many efforts made by members to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to unbelievers. We remember how God has blessed and provided in every activity of the Church. We prayed and sought the Lord for His grace and strength in every activity and the Lord has never failed to work mightily for His glory. We may not have a pastor now but God has never short-changed us in sending us more grace and faithful preaching of His Word. As a Church, we should strive even harder to love and serve our Great God.

May the remembrance of God’s faithfulness in 2012 strengthen our resolve to : “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”(Philippians 3:14).

Elder John Leong