Remembering...

This is my contribution to the SAFARI through Daniel Study... you can read other entries by clicking here.

This week we're talking about spiritual amnesia in the SAFARI through Daniel Study. You know what I mean by Spiritual Amnesia, right?- the kind of phenomena that caused the Israelites to forget they just crossed the Red Sea and escaped the tyranny of the Egyptians and whine about wanting to go back. It's the same phenomena that makes me FREAK OUT when I'm worried about not having enough ___________ (fill in the blank here... time, money, strength, patience) and completely forgetting about the God who has always made sure I had the exact amount of everything I've ever needed.

Not only does forgetting the past make one panicky, it can also breed arrogance.  They say that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. As soon as we think that the successes and failures of others don't apply to us, we are just asking for trouble. The king in this week's story, Belshazzar, was celebrating his invincibility, completely forgetting recent history and the humbling tales of his father, Nebuchadnezzar. He forgot a simple truth... NO ONE IS INVINCIBLE.

This simple truth has been ignored by countless Christians. The lie that satan whispers to us that 'that will never happen to me, I don't need to think about that' - when believed- is the downfall of many of us. It's what allows ministry leaders to commit adultery though we all have seen pastor after pastor fall publicly. We watch alcoholics, gamblers, porn addicts, and druggies destroy their families, yet think 'I am stronger that that, I can handle it in moderation.'  When we watch people get caught up in pride, selfishness, worldliness.... satan would have us to judge, but God would want us to learn.

It's important that each of us realize that 'There but for the Grace of God go I'- that we are not above sin, nor the consequences of sin... we are merely not bound to it. In other words, we don't HAVE to sin. We can resist temptations merely by leaning on God.  Like Daniel, we can read the writing on the wall and ask God for help. If we REMEMBER- if we seek the scriptures for God's presence historically, if we keep journals to record God's presence personally, if keep our eyes open to see God's presence daily, if we watch and learn the lessons being learned around us socially, we can immunize ourselves from forgetting both the consequences of sin and the Goodness of Our Lord. Spiritual amnesia is common, but not inevitable.

I'm glad to hear that... my short term memory tends to be spotty at best. I forget what I walk in a room to do, I forget to write things down so I remember to do them, I forget to call friends on their birthdays,  I forget where I put my cell phone, keys, jacket, brain.  I love that I can have hope that the Holy Spirit will act as my Reminder... not just so I don't have to suffer, but so the Name of Jesus Christ will be glorified.

amen.

They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them,

Nehemiah 9:17