Deuteronomy 6:12 “ . . . then watch yourself, that you do not forget the LORD who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”(NASB)

Memory is a wonderful gift, and we all have varying degrees of this valuable commodity. Yet, in reality, we are often a forgetful people. God knows our tendency to forget and regularly reminds us to watch ourselves lest we overlook something important.

I am one of the forgetful people. I can’t count how many times I have gone to the basement to grab something only to get down there and wonder what it was I came to get.

I know I am not alone in this human frustration. So often God’s people forget even bigger things than the reason for the visit to the basement. Sometimes they forget what God has done for them, and this is tragic.

Moses spoke for God in reminding the children of Israel of all He had done for them as He delivered them from bondage in Egypt. Then he gave some specific ways to keep the memory of God’s goodness fresh in their minds.

Parents were to teach God’s laws to their children. In this way they would personally review the truth as well as passing it on to the next generation. They were instructed to continually talk together all throughout the day. This constant dialogue would keep the truth sharp and fresh.

Next Moses instructed them to create visible reminders. They were to bind the words on their hands and on their forehead as well as writing them on the doorposts. They would see and hear of all of the wonderful works of the LORD on a daily basis and this would be for their benefit.

God gave specific instructions about certain feasts and celebrations the people were to observe regularly. These special events served the purpose of keeping the memory of God’s great deliverance fresh and renewing joy in His gifts.

So often our forgetfulness comes from distraction. I forget my purpose when visiting the basement usually because I try to multi-task by taking down things that need to be put away. God knew that once His people entered the Promised Land and experienced all of the blessings, they would forget the One Who had brought them there in the first place.

If you are like me, you will have times when you are forgetful. But don’t make the mistake of forgetting the most important thing – all God has done for you.

Talk about His goodness daily. Fill your home with Scripture. And celebrate the real meaning of special holidays with joy. By incorporating all of these into your regular routine you will be keeping your memory in working order, and you won’t have to worry about overlooking the most important thing.