Remembrance

Continuing in Chapter 9, the community is still gathered. "The people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God."

Then their prayer is recorded in Nehemiah. It is a long, long prayer because there is a lot to cover: worship and praise to God for his blessings, confession for the sins of the people going all the way back to the time of Abraham, and a list of all God has done for them throughout history. We would also have a long, long prayer if we covered all this ground.

A couple of years ago when the girls and I listened to The Chronicles of Narnia on audiotape, a line lingered in my mind, and I'm not sure what book it comes from. "Remember, remember, remember the signs." Remembrance is an important part of our walk with God. In the midst of a struggle we often forget what God has done for us in the past. We forget his faithfulness. But when we remember, it sustains us through the tough times. When we recall our failures from the past, we are reminded of God's forgiveness. Our prayers should interweave confession with memories of God's mercy. The result will be gratitude and hope for the future.

In prayer, the Israelites (and we) start with what God has given us all: the beautiful earth and sky and sea he has created. Then we remember he keeps his promises, he hears our cries, he guides us and instructs us. He's given us good commandments to keep for our own good. He provides food and water. We lack nothing. He's given us children and rich land and houses full of good things. "So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness." Despite all this, we do not always follow God. We are rebellious and disobedient.

"But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them...they rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back...they turned a stubborn shoulder."

Yet, despite all that, here is God's character: "But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them...you gave your good Spirit to instruct them...in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them...many years you bore with them."

It is worth the time to remember our history with God and all he has done for us. It is a humbling experience. How many years he has bore with me and put up with me! As I prepare for the new school year, I think of the sins I've committed against my children, these little people God has entrusted to my care. I too often discipline out of my own selfishness and impatience, rather than to train them and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I think of careless, hurtful words I've spoken, and dismissive attitudes I've had toward them, times I've brushed them away to pursue my own agenda. Any of us moms can remember these ugly moments. We confess them and ask God to make our hearts tender toward our children. We remember God's mercy toward us and we know he has forgiven us. He gives us strength for a new day, for a new year, and another chance.