Memorial Day is about remembering. Formerly known as Decoration Day, the unofficial holiday  originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in military service.

One the one hand, you would think that “remembering,” especially remembering those who have fought and died to secure the freedom you and I live with everyday, would be the most natural thing in the world. That is to say, given the importance of what we are remembering, you could make the argument that we shouldn’t need a holiday for commemoration. But we are a fickle and forgetful people. What should be humble appreciation so easily passes into arrogant assumption. We need a holiday; we need something official or we will forget. It’s true for our national freedom, and it’s true for our freedom in Christ as well.

It’s not a surprise, then, that when we come to the Bible, God doesn’t leave our memory to chance. In fact, in one version of Scripture, the word “remember” appears over 200 times in Scripture. Sometimes it’s a plea from a person to God – it’s a prayer for the Almighty to remember His promises, His great love, His covenant. Other times, it’s a command straight from God to His people. For example:

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” Exodus 20:8.

“Remember and do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God in the wilderness. You have been rebelling against the Lord from the day you left the land of Egypt until you reached this place” Deuteronomy 9:7.

“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” Matthew 28:20.

“Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. But if you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come against you” Revelation 3:3.

Why are we commanded as Christians to remember? Many reasons, but here are four:

1. Remembering is active.

Because God knows better than we do how forgetful we are of who He is and what He has done, He commands us to remember. It’s a command as forceful as any other command you find in Scripture. Remembering, then, is an active choice. Without us actively and purposefully choosing to remember, then we will forget. CS Lewis knew this and once remarked, “People need to be reminded more than instructed.” More times than not when we come to Scripture or gather together with the saints, we aren’t there to learn; we are there to remember. There is, after all, nothing new under the sun, but just because it’s not new doesn’t mean it’s at the top of our minds.

2. Remembering makes us aware.

The forgetful person is the person who is unaware. As we go about our daily lives, it’s so easy for us to lapse into a haze of appointments, meetings, and obligations, forgetting entirely that a Sovereign God has put together this day for us. We will, if we don’t fight against it, by default forget that this is His day, that He has made, and He has made it thick with His purpose for our sake and for His glory. When we choose to remember, we are taking an active stance looking for what He is doing that might not be visible at first glance.

3. Remembering gives us hope.

As we look back over the course of our lives, we are able to see in retrospect what we might not have been able to see at a given moment. We can see that no matter what the circumstance, that the Lord really was working for our good, for the development of our faith, and for His glory. When we find ourselves in the midst of difficulty in the present, remembering gives us hope because we are reminded that God has never once abandoned us. He has never once not been for us. We can say along with George Mueller, “If the Lord fails me at this time, it will be the first time.”

4. Remembering brings us perspective.

Whatever is happening in the present occupies our focus. We are drawn in and dominated by the present trial, the present joy, or the present sorrow. But remembering brings us perspective. It reminds us that today is not the only day, just as yesterday was not the only day then. We can, when we remember, breathe in the quietness of heart that allows us to not fly off the handle but instead approach a given day with courage, humility, and thankfulness.

So remember today, Christian. Don’t assume it will happen on its own, but recognize our inherent weakness of memory, and obey the command of God. In the midst of the grills and swimming pools, pause and let your mind and heart go back. Remember, and be lifted up.