Forgetfulness: Never Forget What the Lord Has Done

 Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 3 -  Wednesday

“Never Forget What the Lord Has Done”

Scripture Reading: Joshua 4:20–24

After the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, Joshua took the twelve stones from the riverbed and set them up at Gilgal as a memorial. He said, “He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God” (Joshua 4:24). The purpose of those stones was remembrance — to make sure that future generations never forgot what God had done.

In Joshua 4:23, Joshua uses the words “us” and “we.” He didn’t distance himself from the miracle but included himself among those who had been delivered: “For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what He had done to the Red Sea when He dried it up before us until we had crossed over.” This collective language emphasizes that remembering God’s deeds is not just an individual act—it is a shared testimony of faith. Together, God’s people must remember, celebrate, and pass on the story of His mighty works.

When Israel forgot, they fell into trouble. Judges 3:7 says, “The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God.” Judges 8:34 adds that they “did not remember the Lord their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies.” Forgetting led to rebellion, ingratitude, and spiritual decline. Psalm 78:11 laments, “They forgot what He had done, the wonders He had shown them.” God called His people to remember because remembrance keeps the heart humble, grateful, and faithful.

In Deuteronomy 8:2, the Lord told Israel to “remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness.” Verse 18 reminds them to “remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” Memory strengthens faith—it connects past deliverance with present trust. As Psalm 45:17 beautifully promises, “I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.”

The New Testament continues this sacred call to remember. Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, gave His disciples the bread and the cup, saying, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:24–25). The Lord’s Supper is our memorial stone. Each time we partake, we proclaim His death until He comes, reminding ourselves that His sacrifice is the foundation of our faith. Without remembering Christ’s death and resurrection, everything else—our works, wisdom, and efforts—loses meaning.

And Jesus promised help for our memory: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). The Spirit brings Christ’s words and works to our hearts again and again, keeping His presence alive within us.

To forget what God has done is to lose our spiritual direction. To remember is to keep our hearts anchored in grace, gratitude, and truth. May we, like Joshua and the Israelites, build memorials in our hearts that continually testify, “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3).

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for all the mighty things You have done—both in Scripture and in my life. Forgive me for the times I have forgotten Your faithfulness. Help me to always remember the cross of Christ and the price of my redemption. Holy Spirit, remind me daily of Your truth and strengthen my faith through remembrance. May my life be a living memorial of Your grace, power, and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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