“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”
Isaiah 46:9-10
So much of our well-being in this life depends upon our memory. A forgotten assignment can mean a failing grade. A forgotten birthday or anniversary can lead to hurt feelings and damaged relationships. The cost of a forgotten interview might be a lost job opportunity. A forgotten medical appointment might mean serious health issues down the road. And so it goes. Today’s verse passage instructs us to remember that which outstrips everything else in terms of importance. We must, at all cost, continue to remember the great covenant-keeping God of the Bible. In the pantheon of gods contemplated by the mind of man, our God stands unique. Omnipotent and sovereign, the God of the Bible did not merely impose order on pre-existing matter in the beginning. Rather, He spoke the world into being; He brought the created order into existence out of absolutely nothing (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 96:5; Hebrews 11:3). “For by him were all things created,” wrote Paul, “that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:16-17). The Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos stands sovereign over all historic eventuation; He “worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11). His many fulfilled prophecies reveal both His sovereignty and His care for us, His beloved image-bearers. (Matthew 1:22-23; 8:16-17; Luke 4:17-19; 18:31; 24:46; Acts 13:26-33; Romans 1:1-4). This is a major point. We don’t know God unless we know Him, not only as the sovereign, Ultimate Authority, but as our loving Creator and Redeemer as well. Similarly, we cannot understand who we are without seeing ourselves as His unique creations, the special objects of His redemptive love. Let us remember that in Him we are forgiven (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 2:13), justified (Romans 8:33-34), new creations, (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:23; Titus 3:5), who are part of God’s family (Romans 8:15-17). We are redeemed, (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-20), washed, clean, and set apart (1 Corinthians 6:11), free (John 8:31-32; 2 Corinthians 317; Romans 6:17-18), clothed with God’s Own Righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Remember that we are over-comers (Romans 16:20; Revelation 12:7-11), and that we are never, ever alone (Matthew 29:20; Hebrews 13:5-6). Remember these things today, dear saints, and be encouraged!
God bless you,
Pastor John
English