I’m noticing that “remember” comes up a lot in Deuteronomy: 15 times. Most of the time the Israelites are asked to remember that they were slaves:

You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm… (Deuteronomy 5.15, ESV)

You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today. (Deuteronomy 15.5, ESV)

You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt; and you shall be careful to observe these statutes. (Deuteronomy 16.12, ESV)

You were slaves and now you’re not: God’s mighty hand has rescued you.

You were slaves and now you’re not: be careful to observe these statutes.

Here’s another “remember along with a “forget:”

Beware lest you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.” You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. And if you forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. (Deuteronomy 8.17 – 19, ESV)

Remember where you’re from and don’t forget whose power gave you everything you have.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1.16 – 17, ESV)

Here’s something to remember. Choose your word picture: dead or enslaved:

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2.1 – 5, ESV)

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit… (Titus 3.3 – 5, ESV)

P.S. Some were a bit confused by yesterday’s blog. Apparently, I wasn’t clear. I’ve updated it.