Devotion - Monday, March 11

When asked where to begin in reading the Bible, I seldom suggest Deuteronomy.  But this morning, my reading of Deuteronomy brought me a much appreciated insight.  The writer asks the reader to "remember".  This differs from the posture from which I tend to operate.  I tend to think of "learn."

There are many things which we could learn and perhaps need to learn.  But there is nothing we might learn which could prove more powerful than simply remembering.

The writer of Deuteronomy asks the people of Israel to remember how they had been in slavery before God brought them out of Egypt.

The writer of Deuteronomy asks the people of Israel to remember how God filled their bellies with Manna.

The writer of Deuteronomy asks the people of Israel to remember the gifts of reason and intelligence which made possible their building up wealth.

Remember.

Remember how wonderfully God has made you and how God has claimed you as a beloved child.

Remember the days before you found a community of welcome in which others prayed for your and aided you in your times of need.

Remember the calm which God gives - even in the midst of a 16-week sprint of studies, exams, and projects.

Remember....  and then give thanks.