Never Forget
Some memories never fade. We can close our eyes and still see them: the day of our graduation, the birth of a child, the moment we heard tragic news. These events shape us so deeply they become etched into our minds.
But not all memories stick. We forget names, appointments, and details of everyday life. Sometimes, the forgetting is even a little humorous—like the time I left a pork loin in the trunk of my car on a sweltering summer day. Let’s just say that was unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.
When it comes to faith, however, forgetting isn’t funny. It’s dangerous.
Scripture is full of warnings about spiritual forgetfulness. Joshua, nearing the end of his life, gathered the people of Israel and pleaded with them: Don’t forget what God has done. Don’t forget who you are because of Him. He reminded them that God had delivered them from Egypt, brought them victories they could never have won on their own, and kept His covenant faithfully.
But then, just a page later in the book of Judges, we read some of the saddest words in the Bible: “Another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel. They forsook the Lord and followed other gods” (Judges 2:10-11).
It only took one generation. One cycle of parents failing to pass on the story, one community distracted by other priorities, one people choosing comfort over covenant. Forgetfulness led them not just to a lapse in memory, but to a complete shift in allegiance.
And if we’re honest, the evidence of forgetfulness is visible in our lives today, too. We forget God when Scripture and prayer slip to the margins of our schedule. We forget when our words and actions during the week don’t reflect the priorities of people walking daily with God. We forget when worship becomes optional, when stewardship feels like a burden, when our faith is more routine than relationship. Forgetfulness isn’t just about memory—it’s about neglect.
The truth is, forgetting God doesn’t usually happen all at once. It creeps in gradually. Gratitude fades into routine. Worship becomes background noise. Faith becomes something we acknowledge but no longer center our lives upon. That is the danger Joshua saw coming—and it’s the danger we face, too.
But here is the good news: even when we forget God, God never forgets us.
The psalmist assures us, “The Lord remembers his covenant forever” (Psalm 105:8). God does not lose track of His people, even when His people lose track of Him. At the Last Supper, Jesus gave His disciples bread and wine as anchors against spiritual amnesia: “Do this in remembrance of me.” He knew how easily we forget, so He gave us a practice of remembrance rooted in His own self-giving love.
Every time we take the bread and the cup, we rehearse the story until it becomes our story again. We remember that God has not forgotten us. We remember that in Christ, God forgives, heals, redeems, and crowns us with steadfast love.
The Christian church is always one generation away from forgetting Jesus. But we are also one act of faithful remembrance away from renewal.
That’s why telling the story matters. That’s why worship matters. That’s why practicing gratitude and sharing testimony matter. These are not just religious activities—they are the very ways we resist the pull of forgetfulness.
Because the truth is, “never forget” is not just a slogan for memorial days. It is a way of life for people of faith.
Reflection Prompts
Where do you see signs of “forgetfulness” in your own faith life—less attention to prayer, Scripture, worship, or stewardship?
What helps you remember God’s faithfulness in the midst of daily routines and distractions?
When has God reminded you that He never forgets you?
What one step could you take this week to remember God more intentionally?
We would love to hear from you: What helps you remember God’s presence and faithfulness in your daily life? Please call, come by, or email your story.