Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. Isaiah 46: 9, 10, NIV.
Dear God, into Your hands we commend our lives, our souls, our all. We do not want to forget the way that You have led us. Please remain with us now as we study Your Word. In the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Through the prophet Isaiah, God was exhorting His people to remember. He began by declaring the marked differences between Himself and the gods of the Babylonians, Bel-Marduk and his son Nebo or Nabu. YHWH is the God who carries His people from the womb to their old age (3, 4). In contrast, the beasts of the field are the ones who are burdened with carrying these pagan deities as they flee for safety from the city of Babylon (1, 2).
What a difference it would make if we would remember that the Lord is Creator! “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1: 1). Because we tend to forget, He has left us His commandment as a reminder: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy” (Exodus 20: 8-11, emphasis provided).
If we kept His work of creation fresh in our memory we would give Him the honor and the glory and the praise, that He deserves! The hosts of heaven worship Him and declare: “”You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4: 11).
Remember, that He is Redeemer! Even holy beings who never sinned and who do not need to be redeemed, acknowledge His redemptive power, by singing “a new song,” “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth . . . “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise” (5: 9, 10, 12)! Let us never forget that He became our substitute, and died in order that we might live, and live eternally!
Remember that one day, before the entire universe, He will be hailed as King! “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘ “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped” (13, 14). “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. . . On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 19: 11, 16).
Remember that you and I have been invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb! “Then the angel said to me, ‘ “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ ” ‘ And he added, ‘ “These are the true words of God” ‘ ” (Revelation 19: 9).
Yes friends, He alone is God; “there is no other,” and what He has promised, will come to pass! So do not forget!
NOTE: Remember to read the Article of the Month!