God has created us with the ability to remember. Due to this, there are several important things the Bible instructs us to never forget. This week I want us to take a few minutes each night to think about some of these things. The best place to start is with God Himself.

Deuteronomy 6:12 (ESV)
¹² Then take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

The Israelites failed to follow these instructions given to them by Moses. They did not remember God once they settled in the land.

Judges 2:10 (ESV)
¹⁰ And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel.

It is hard to imagine this happening. After all that God had done for them, how could a generation of Jews arise who do not even know Him? Clearly, the parents failed to do what Moses told them to do. They were told to teach the words of the Lord to their children diligently (Deuteronomy 6:7). They were to write the words of God on the doorposts of their houses and on their gates. It was the responsibility of the parents not to allow their children to forget God; yet, that is exactly what happened, and the results were predictable. Their children’s generation did evil in the sight of the Lord (Judges 2:11).

When we forget the Lord, bad things happen, at least from a spiritual standpoint. Things may go well physically. Perhaps we will prosper financially, but the most important thing in our lives will suffer. Our relationship with God will be ruined. How do we prevent that from happening? There are a few things we can do.

We can be sure to study the Word of God regularly. Paul once said, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 ). This translation emphasizes what we are to do. The King James Version emphasizes how we are to do it. It reads, “Study to shew thyself approved to God…” The best way for you to present yourself to God as one approved is to study the Word of God. Remember, studying the Word strengthens our faith (Romans 10:17).

Another thing we can do is focus on the many blessings God has given us. The great mistake that the Israelites made was thinking that it was by their own power that they obtained wealth (Deuteronomy 8:17). Moses reminded them that it was God who gave them the power to get wealth (ver. 18). We should remember the same thing. The homes that we have, the beds in which we sleep, the running water that we enjoy, are all blessings that should remind us of God. The most important blessings, however, are the spiritual ones, especially the hope of heaven. When we think of heaven, we cannot help thinking about God.

Ultimately, we remember God by obeying Him. The admonition of Moses was, “Take care lest you forget the Lord thy God by not keeping His commandments…” This is the best way to never forget God.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.