From Memory to Memorial

Genesis 9:11-17; Genesis 28:18-22; Exodus 20:8-11; Joshua 24:26-27; 1 Samuel 7:12; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34.

Just a few of the times in Scripture in which a person, a group of people, or God Himself set up a memorial. All are different situations with different reasons behind them, but each memorial was set up for the same purpose - to honor God, to remember what He had done, and to pass on their traditions and truths to later generations.

Whether it was stones in the wilderness or a rainbow in the sky, memorials were set up all throughout the Bible, and I believe we as Christians would be smart to follow this pattern. In fact, I believe we are expected to.

Memorials are demanded. Methods are diverse.

Some may write blogs. Some may write in diaries (women) or journals (men). Others may take pictures or keep mementos. And even some may feel the need to paint, draw, or sculpt.

Don't say you can just remember it all because you can't. And even if you are superhuman and can, how is your incredible, flawless memory going to benefit your children, your children's children, and your children's children's children?

We need to make memorials in our lives so that we can look back and remember the faithfulness of God to show up in this situation, to answer this prayer, to work in the life of that friend, or to do this miracle.

And it doesn't have to be a daily thing. It can be something you do weekly or even biweekly. But it needs to be regular and consistent. Because we, as God's people, need to remember the things that God has done for us, honor Him for the things he Has done for us, and share the things that He has done for us.

P.S. We wouldn't have a Bible or any knowledge of Christian history if those before us hadn't taken this to heart. So maybe we should too.

-

"I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them—even the children not yet born—and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands."
Psalm 78:2-7

-