Remember When

Read: Deuteronomy 8:1-4

Who can name this song that came out on October 27, 2003? Here are a few lyrics that might help.

Remember when

We vowed the vows and walked the walk

Gave our hearts, made the start, and it was hard

We lived and learned life threw curves

There was joy, there was hurt

Remember when

Remember when

Old ones died and new were born

And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged

We came together, fell apart

And broke each other's hearts

Remember when

Would it help to know that it was sung by Alan Jackson? Did you "phone a friend" to help jog your memory? The answer is REMEMBER WHEN. A song that speaks about the ordinary changes of life, as well as life's joys and sorrows and the joy of "remembering when" these milestones occurred.

In Deuteronomy 8:1-4, God spoke to His people whom would soon be entering their promised land, having been in the wilderness for around 40 years. He wanted them to remember when, and what did He want them to remember? For one thing, He wanted them to remember His wondrous provision that came to them each day for all of those years. It's hard to imagine how the Provider furnished them with water and manna for all of those years, along with so much more! Their feet didn't swell and their clothing didn't wear out, Deuteronomy 8:1-4. Can we imagine years later when babies grew up and their parents told them their stories of "remember when"? If they kept these wonders in

their hearts, they would walk in humility.

We also each have a story to tell. A "remember when story" that is still being written; however, before we talk about that, let's imagine what some of our favorite Bible people might say if they were "remembering when."

Adam and Eve: We remember when we walked in innocence in Eden. There was nothing but joy and excitement. Beauty and untainted love, Genesis 2. However, we remember when we tasted the bitter fruit of our disobedience. How everything changed when we chose our own way rather than God's, Genesis 3. Yet, that was not the end of our story because, praise God, we also remember when God called out to us. He didn't abandon us in our shame and fear. He made us coverings instead of the fig leaves we had cobbled together, Genesis 3:21. He also gave us a promise that someday, things

would once again be as He always intended them to be, Genesis 3:15. Yes, we remember when the Almighty One gave us hope.

Abraham and Sarah: We remember when we lived in a land named Ur. Things were good there. Life was pleasant. It was all we knew. Then, God called Abraham to go somewhere new. To a place we had never been. To live among people we didn't know. Even though we didn't know where we would end up, we remember when The Almighty God gave Abraham a promise. Somehow children from our union would be born. How unlikely that was since we were both old when the LORD spoke those words of promise for the first time. We couldn't have known back then that 25 years would pass by between the receiving of that promise and its fulfillment. That was probably a good thing, but it wasn't easy to wait. Sometimes, we wanted our child when it wasn't God's time for us to receive our son. And of course, we remember when God gave us Isaac. Laughter was everywhere. To think that two such elderly folks could have brought a

baby into this world, Genesis 21:1-7! It was surely something that only God could have done, Genesis 18:14. We will forever "remember when! "We will tell everyone about the One Who did the impossible and sustained us through the long years of waiting. Loving us even when we tried to intervene and help Him out!

Peter: I remember what life was like when I spent my days fishing. I could have never guessed that I would meet the Holy One of Israel. The Messiah, Jesus. I remember when He told me and my fishermen friends to cast the net on the other side of the boat. What a strange thing to ask people who fished for a living when we had toiled all night with no results. Yet, I remember doing what He asked. Knowing that the Rabbi's plan would likely be fruitless. Or should I say "fishless? Oh, how wrong I was. I remember when the net was filled at His command and I remember knowing that when I stood before Jesus, I could see what a wretched sinner I truly was. Even so, I remember when He told me and the others that we would be fishers of men. What an amazing change of perspective began on that day, Luke 5:1-11.

Judas: I remember when I walked with Jesus. I remember that I saw all of Jesus' miracles. I remember when I believed that I would be prominent when Jesus was crowned king. I remember when it became evident that Jesus wasn't going to do the

things I thought He would be doing. The things I thought He should be doing. I remember when I reclined at the table with the others. I remember when Jesus handed me the bread He had dipped into the Passover mixture, and I remember when I left. Knowing that I would betray Him. The plan was already in place, John 13:21-30. I remember when I knew that there was no hope left for me. My story would not end like Adam and Eves, Abraham and Sarah's or Peter's because I didn't want Jesus' plan. I didn't want His way either. I rejected the Light that He held out and chose darkness instead.

Each of us has a story. The "remember whens" are coming together like the pieces of a puzzle. Much about the picture is not yet known, but like the people of the Bible whose lives we have glimpsed, we have the choice whether or not we will choose God's way or the way of the Evil One and the world. As sweet as our remembering might be or as painful, there is really only one "remember when" that is vital. Do we remember that there was a day when Jesus died and that three days later, that He rose from the grave to make atonement for our sin? Have we received the Living Hope that only He can provide? Do we remember when we knew that He was the Only Way of salvation, John 14:6?

If so, we have the sweet Truth that Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah and Peter clung to. We will never have the despair that Judas chose! Instead, we will forever enjoy the freedom of a cleansed life that pleases God because we are doing the works of God, John 6:28-29.

If anyone might read this who is uncertain whether or not you have received Jesus, John 1:11-12, please don't wait to be certain. There are many in this church or loved ones you know who would love to tell you about Jesus.