(Esther 9)
Why is it important to set aside time to help us remember God’s faithfulness in our lives? It’s because there is a tendency for people to easily forget what God has accomplished in their lives.
When it comes to God’s faithfulness people tend to have short memories. To help counter this weakness we must have a habit of setting aside a time to commemorate God’s blessings upon our lives.
Developing the habit of remembering what God has done for us, keeps our minds focused on God’s faithfulness, gives us opportunity to praise Him, help us recognize His blessings, and helps us avoid sin.
A perfect example of a time set aside to remember God’s faithfulness and deliverance is the Purim, a joyous Jewish festival commemorating the survival of the Jews who, in the 5th century BC, were marked for death by their Persian rulers. The story is related in the biblical Book of Esther.
We find many special days set aside in the Bible to commemorate God’s faithfulness. Another event worthy of being mentioned is the Eucharist.
The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord’s Supper, commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples, at which he gave them bread with the words, “This is my body,” and wine, “This is my blood.”
Jesus instructed that the Eucharist be instituted by the church because he is aware of the weakness in men to quickly forget God’s goodness. He therefore said to his disciples: “Do this in remembrance of me.” (Lk. 22:19).
Whenever the church gathers together to do this in remembrance of Jesus’ death she is proclaiming Christ’s death as a memorial before God- that Christ’s body was given for us; and his blood poured out for the remission of our sins.
One thing to always remember as we celebrate and commemorate God’s blessing upon our lives during the many holidays and events set aside for such purposes is that such days are not only about feasting but more importantly about remembering the actual purposes for which the holidays were instituted.
They are more for remembering and celebrating God’s faithfulness. Soon Christmas would be here and there will be felicitations and celebrations but much more than these God wants us to celebrate the best gift He ever gave to mankind: the birth of Jesus Christ the savior of the world.
Isaiah 9:6 best captures what should truly be the mood of Christmas along with the traditional feasting and merriment.
It says : For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
As we look forward to Christmas we also remember that Christ came into the world to redeem us from our sins and to Himself that we do not suffer eternal damnation. Have you accepted Him as your Lord today ?
