How many times must God tell us something before we listen? When God states the same thing over and over again, it must be important information that we ought to focus our studies on! God, through His infinite wisdom and knowledge, knows that humans are forgetful. Most of us need reminded multiple times a day to take out the trash! As you study your Bibles, do you notice the reoccurring statements God has purposefully placed in His Book? They ought to stick out to us like a sore thumb, but the majority of us overlook them and fail to see the lessons God desires us to see.

God spoke through His prophets that the people of Israel during the time of Judges were doing evil in the sight of the Lord (Judg. 2:11; 3:7; 3:12; 4:1; 6:1). During the time of the kings, individual leaders were described as doing evil in the sight of the Lord as well (1 Kgs. 11:6; 15:26; 2 Kgs. 21:20; 23:32; 23:37). Notice first, God is aware of all things. Whether it is a nation, a small group of people, or individual persons; God knows what we do (Heb. 4:13). Though our deeds are not immediately punished on earth, they will be examined when we face the Judgment (2 Cor. 5:10). Make sure the evil you have committed is removed from your account by the blood of Christ! Secondly if there is an evil way of living, then there must be a right way. How can we know what is right in God’s sight? Read His word and obey it (Ps. 19:7-8)! Lastly, we must focus on teaching our youth about God. Once the generation who had served God with Joshua had died, a new generation arose who had no respect for the Lord (Judg. 2:10-11). If our children are to avoid doing what is evil in the sight of the Lord, then parents must educate them on what is right in God’s sight (Deut. 11:18-22).

How many times have you read in the Gospel of John, “His hour had not yet come”? It is written several times, but have you ever thought of what it is in reference to (John 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20)? Towards the end of Jesus’ life, His hour had come and it is made clear that this statement referred to His death and glorification on the cross. (John 12:23-33; 13:1; 17:1-5). Realize this; God had an ultimate plan and it was completed perfectly. God had set in motion the sacrifice of His Son for mankind before the world’s foundation (1 Pet. 1:18-20)! If God took such meticulous care of humanity since the beginning of time, why do we not trust that He will continue to take care of us today? Secondly, timing is everything. Jesus knew it was not yet time for His death. Even though He knew He must die, there were still many things He needed to accomplish! We all must face death and the Judgment to come (Heb. 9:27), but that does not mean we should neglect our responsibilities to God while we live! Live fully while on this earth, but make sure you live Godly; for that is all that matters in the end (Eccl. 3:1-8; 12:13-14). While one lives their life, God expects them to be working in His kingdom bringing other souls to Jesus (John 4:36-38; Matt. 28:19-20). Are you making use of the time God has given? Timing is everything; and if time is wasted God is not pleased (Eph. 5:15-17).

While studying the Bible, recognize that we should be digging deep into the Word. Would a gold miner simply scratch the surface and be successful? God’s Word is more precious and important than any gem or stone this world has to offer (1 Pet. 1:18-25). Notice the reoccurring statements found in the Bible, examine things with a microscope, apply the lessons learned to yourself, then take it to others. God speaks to us through His Son; what His Son said is recorded for us in the Bible (Heb. 1:1-2; John 12:47-50). Are you listening to what God has to say?

-Brandon Foresha

When Israel entered the promised land, the Lord cut off the waters of the Jordan river so the people crossed on dry ground (Josh. 3:14-17). God commanded a man from each tribe to take a stone out of the midst of the Jordan. Joshua relayed the Lord’s commands to Israel and explained, “…these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever. And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day” (Josh. 4:7-9).

            In Joshua 22, the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh returned over the Jordan to the land they desired for an inheritance east of the river; they built an altar at the Jordan, not for sacrifice, but as a witness of the common heritage they had with the other tribes of Israel that were in the land west of the Jordan. Their concern was that their children and future generations would remember their tie with the other tribes (vv. 24-28).

            As generations come and go, truths that were once evident can become forgotten. After the death of Joshua and the elders that outlived Joshua, Israel forgot what the once knew, “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10).

            The need to be reminded of important truths is obvious from these accounts. Forgetfulness is not only a transgenerational problem, but can plague an individual’s life. While a man may have a memory of a past event, that does not guarantee that it will remain dear to him. Love can grow cold so that truths are no longer held fervently. What God has done for us must be more than facts that we are intellectually able to recite; it must be functional momentum of our entire lives.

            Christ instituted a memorial for His followers to remember His death until He returns (1 Cor. 11:23-26). The church gathers on each first day of the week to observe this memorial (Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23; Acts 20:7). Is Christ’s death for you the driving force in your life? Or is there something else that occupies your heart and deepest aspirations? Perhaps one of the reasons we may often find ourselves worried, angry, or depressed is that we allow other loves to occupy center stage on our hearts. Our love for security, popularity, a relationship, money, control or whatever else we feel like we cannot live without comes to the forefront of our hearts and pushes Christ’s love for us demonstrated on the cross to the background. The fact that God loves you so much that His Son died for you on the cross so that you could have fellowship with Him should be the engine that drives your love and service to God and others. Will you let your heart be reminded of this most-important truth today as we partake of the Lord’s Supper?

-Mark Day