Remember

Remember

Scripture: “Listen to what the LORD says: “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say. Hear, you mountains, the LORD’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel. “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me. I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam. My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD Micah 6:1-5

Observation: In this portion of Scripture we are given an interesting picture of a heavenly courtroom. The LORD is the aggrieved party, taking up a case against His people Israel. The witnesses or perhaps the jury are said to be the mountains, the hills and the everlasting foundations of the earth. The prosecuting lawyer is the prophet Micah. What is the charge? It is basically forsaking the Lord and His ways.

The Lord reminds His people how He brought them out from Egypt and redeemed them from the land of slavery. He reminds them of Moses, Aaron and Miriam, the legendary heroes in Israel’s history who led Israel out of Egypt together. He also reminds them in particular of how He turned Balaam’s curses into great blessings when Balak plotted against them. Next, the Lord reminds them of their journey from Shittim, where they fell into sexual immorality with Moabite women to Gilgal, where the new generation of Israel circumcised themselves before entering and conquering the promised land in Canaan.

Application: The Scripture tells us that the life of the Israelites and the events of the Old Testament occurred as an example for us who are under the new covenant. Just like God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and redeemed them from the land of slavery, God redeemed us from our life of slavery to sin through the sacrifice of His precious Son our Lord Jesus Christ. Why did God save us? He saved us to be set apart for Himself as His people, belonging to Him through Jesus Christ. Many of us, like the Israelites, despite being saved, could have fallen back to old, sinful ways again. We may go to church on Sunday to worship God, and may even serve Him in Cell and various ministries. However, if we do not practice justice, mercy and faithfulness, it is like making sacrifices without living righteous lives that does not please the Lord. In remaining faithful to the Lord, a key word is “Remember”. We need to remember how Jesus died on the cross for us and provided the way for us to be saved. That’s why Holy Communion is so important. It brings us back to our initial point of salvation, when we remember our forgiveness of sins through His great sacrifice and the eternal life He has prepared for us.

The writer of Hebrews warns us gravely that for those who deliberate keep on sinning, there is no sacrifice of sins left. We should not take our salvation for granted, but remember the first generation of Israelites who although saved from Egypt, were not thankful and not faithful to the Lord and perished in the desert, never reaching the promised land.

Prayer:  Father Lord, I thank You and praise You for Your great love to us. Lord Jesus, You have redeemed us from sin and given us eternal life. Let me never take You for granted O Lord, but truly value and appreciate Your great salvation every day. Deliver me from evil and keep me on the path everlasting. Keep my heart from sin, and let me ever seek Your justice, mercy and faithfulness in my life. In Jesus name, Amen.