I have often grumbled about our rental home. It’s too small. There’s not enough space for everything. The kitchen can only have one person in it. It’s simply too cluttered.
But then I finally remember how blessed we are to be there. The rent is extremely cheap. The greenery and sounds of birds are beautiful. Housework is quick and easy. We have the best Christian landlords. I know we are not going to be there forever because we are building our own home. But the Lord blessed us with this house at just the perfect time. It meets all of our needs because He knew what we needed.
We, humans, are forgetful. We remember the fabulous times in our lives but gradually forget how God has blessed us. We go back to grumbling about life, moaning about what we haven’t got, and totally dismiss the times in our lives when God has been good to us.
Does this ring a bell for you? You’ve probably forgotten (lol). Remember the miraculous provision for the Israelites after they had escaped from Egypt. God gave to them, yet they wanted more. They had pushed aside what God had done for them and instead focused on what they didn’t have.
In Ecclesiastes chapter 1, verse 11, it says this:
“No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them.”
The writer of this passage, King Solomon, knew us well - we have forgotten the unique and wonderful ways God has worked in our past, and then we forget to pass these stories on to our children and grandchildren. Those who come after us may not even remember our name, let alone what God did in our lives. That is a sad but true reality.
From generation to generation (children to grandchildren to great-grandchildren), the Jewish people remember what God did for the Israelites by taking them out of Egypt. Even today, they talk about this story, as though it were happening to them in the present. It is shared in prayers, celebrations, festivals and within families. It is remembered everywhere and on every occasion. And on the Sabbath day it is highlighted once again - to remind people how God brought His people to a place of rest.
Tefillin
The Jewish people also wear something to help them recall what God did for the Israelites. It is called tefillin. Tefillin are a pair of black leather boxes containing Hebrew scrolls. There is one for the head and one for the arm, which are put on using leather straps. Traditionally they are worn during weekday morning prayers, to help them remember how God delivered them from Egypt.
Deuteronomy chapter 6, verse 8 says “Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” This is what the tefillin represent.
The four main texts inside the tefillin include Exodus 13:1-10, Exodus 13:11-16, Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Deuteronomy 11:13-21. Each of these passages repeats again and again - keep God’s word in your hearts, tie them to your hands and on your heads, and never forget what the Lord has done for you. They also teach every Jew to tell their children about what God did for the Israelites, to love and fear Him and of God’s assurance that He will reward us.
The hand tefillin are strapped to the arm facing the heart. The remaining strap is wound around the arm seven times (to bind themselves to God). The head tefillin is placed above the hairline, in the middle of the forehead. This symbolises dedication to God in all that they feel, think and do.
When I read about this, I was reminded of how often we ‘strap’ other things to ourselves (like phones and other devices) and then promptly forget God and what He is doing in our lives! We get so distracted by the things of this world and our relationship with God simply disappears into the background.
Today, I want to encourage you to remember what God has done in your life. Consider writing down some key bible verses and putting them in a place where you will see them daily. Read and meditate on them. Let them sink into the depths of your mind and heart. Put down your device and look at these scriptures every day to remember what God has done for you. Thank Him for everything He has done. Rejoice in the Lord for He has done great things!
Fiona Murray has a passion for telling stories, both real and fictional, to engage the reader in the greatest hope of all, Jesus Christ. She has been a primary school teacher, teacher aide, personnel administrator for a mission organization and financial assistant for a community trust, all of which has grown her love for detail and creativity. Fiona is also undertaking further theology study to enhance her writing. She is married to Alan, and they live in Selwyn, Canterbury (NZ) with their children.