As You Go, Remember [Deuteronomy 27]
1Then Moses and the elders of Israel charged the people, saying, "Keep all the commandments which I command you today. 2"So it shall be on the day when you cross the Jordan to the land which the LORD your God gives you, that you shall set up for yourself large stones and coat them with lime 3and write on them all the words of this law, when you cross over, so that you may enter the land which the LORD your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you. 4"So it shall be when you cross the Jordan, you shall set up on Mount Ebal, these stones, as I am commanding you today, and you shall coat them with lime. 5"Moreover, you shall build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you shall not wield an iron tool on them. 6"You shall build the altar of the LORD your God of uncut stones, and you shall offer on it burnt offerings to the LORD your God; 7and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and eat there, and rejoice before the LORD your God. 8"You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very distinctly."
How do we remember the words God has given you? In this passage and in others, we a clear mandate to write them distinctly. In this case God is calling them to write the words on large stones and preserve them with lime. Generations to come will be able to go back and see clearly God's words.
I just spent some time with my mom and my sister going to the cemeteries where members of our family are buried. As we looked at the stones, we remembered. It was a quiet time of reflection as we read the words on the cement or marble slabs, left there so that I could come back and remember. For me, this is what my Establishing God's Peace prayer journal does. It gives me a place to write the scripture that God is showing me each day in a place where I can look back and remember who God is. It is a wonderful place for reflection.
We praise You God that You know us so well that you encourage us to write down Your truth - You know how quickly we forget. You are a God who deserves to be remembered every minute of our lives. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who also writes Your words on our heart and causes us to remember. Thank You for putting Your Words in writing for us. Cause us to take time to let our minds be renewed with Your truth.
Verna McCrillis, 9/22/2010