It's easy to forget just how remarkable the journey has been. Beginning with a simple act of submission as a teenager, it has involved countless numbers of wonderful people, a wide variety of locations, and opportunities beyond imagination. Remembering leads to absolute wonderment.
There is a very specific reason why God ordained certain feasts and celebrations throughout the year: so that His people would not forget His mighty acts. It is recorded in 2 Chronicles twenty that "many people were gathered at Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month, a very large assembly" (2 Chronicles 30:13). Notice that this was not some solemn and somber occasion; it was a party! ("The sons of Israel present in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy, and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day after day with loud instruments to the LORD" - 2 Chronicles 30:21). Remembering God's mighty acts was cause for great celebration.
What began as a one-week celebration stretched to two weeks: "Then the whole assembly decided to celebrate the feast another seven days, so they celebrated the seven days with joy (2 Chronicles 30:23). This two-week party was a rare celebration, as we see in the summary of this account: "So there was great joy in Jerusalem, because there was nothing like this in Jerusalem since the days of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel" (2 Chronicles 30:26).
Did you notice the repetition of the word "joy" in these verses? Remembering the mighty works and deliverance of Yahweh God was cause for great celebration, which leads me back to my remarkable journey. Granted, it may not seem all that remarkable from the standpoint of celebrities and dignitaries, but the fact is that it is MY journey with my Father, and for this country boy that is pretty remarkable. That the Creator of everything would involve Himself in the details of an obscure and lowly creature of His is beyond comprehension.
Trouble comes when we forget. Jesus implores His church in the city of Ephesus to "remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first" (Revelation 2:5). Remembering past grace is vital to present and future vibrant spirituality.
The more I remember, the more I'm like a kid in a candy store - in absolute astonishment at the assortment of delights that surround me. Each of us are surrounded by delightful blessings of grace provided by the Father throughout the journey of our lives. Lest we forget and take them for granted, stop periodically to ponder the journey that is uniquely yours with your Father, and let the joy and wonderment provide powerful incentive for faithful living today and beyond.
Steve
There is a very specific reason why God ordained certain feasts and celebrations throughout the year: so that His people would not forget His mighty acts. It is recorded in 2 Chronicles twenty that "many people were gathered at Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month, a very large assembly" (2 Chronicles 30:13). Notice that this was not some solemn and somber occasion; it was a party! ("The sons of Israel present in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy, and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day after day with loud instruments to the LORD" - 2 Chronicles 30:21). Remembering God's mighty acts was cause for great celebration.
What began as a one-week celebration stretched to two weeks: "Then the whole assembly decided to celebrate the feast another seven days, so they celebrated the seven days with joy (2 Chronicles 30:23). This two-week party was a rare celebration, as we see in the summary of this account: "So there was great joy in Jerusalem, because there was nothing like this in Jerusalem since the days of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel" (2 Chronicles 30:26).
Did you notice the repetition of the word "joy" in these verses? Remembering the mighty works and deliverance of Yahweh God was cause for great celebration, which leads me back to my remarkable journey. Granted, it may not seem all that remarkable from the standpoint of celebrities and dignitaries, but the fact is that it is MY journey with my Father, and for this country boy that is pretty remarkable. That the Creator of everything would involve Himself in the details of an obscure and lowly creature of His is beyond comprehension.
Trouble comes when we forget. Jesus implores His church in the city of Ephesus to "remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first" (Revelation 2:5). Remembering past grace is vital to present and future vibrant spirituality.
The more I remember, the more I'm like a kid in a candy store - in absolute astonishment at the assortment of delights that surround me. Each of us are surrounded by delightful blessings of grace provided by the Father throughout the journey of our lives. Lest we forget and take them for granted, stop periodically to ponder the journey that is uniquely yours with your Father, and let the joy and wonderment provide powerful incentive for faithful living today and beyond.
Steve
posted by steve @ 9:12 AM
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