Don’t Forget
Moses implored the Lord God and said, “Remember your promise to your servants—to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel; for you swore by your own self.” – Exodus 32:13 (adapted)
“You promised!”
The tyke was beside herself in that way only a 3-year-old can be, red-faced, trembling, stamping her feet at her embarrassed dad in the cereal aisle. You could hear her all over the store.
Had he broken a promise? Changed a plan? Or was she worried he might? Whatever it was, she wanted him to know that she remembered. Whatever it was, she’d been banking on it. She hadn’t forgotten, and she needed him to remember, too.
“You promised!”
In scripture, God is always telling us to remember. Remember what happened at the Red Sea, in the desert, on Sinai, at the Jordan. Remember that you belong to me, you’re a rescued people, you have a duty to the world, to each other, and to every creature in it. You promised. Don’t forget.
We hear it all the time in church, too. Don’t forget your baptismal vows, your covenantal commitments, your duty to God and each other. Remember who you are and whose you are. We hear it so often you’d think forgetting is one-sided, that we’re the only ones who need reminding.
But scripture says God needs reminding, too. Open its pages and you’ll hear it everywhere, the anguished, demanding cry of a people in need of God’s faithfulness: “Where are you? Have you forgotten? You promised!”
Reminder and complaint, accountability and accusation, memorandum and feet to the fire. We remember. But do you? You promised, now deliver. You swore, now make good.
It’s not presumption or impudence or faithlessness to demand that God be answerable for God’s promises. It’s relationship. If ours is real, we’ll yell and stamp our feet.
Prayer
You promised. Remember, and don’t forget.
About the AuthorMary Luti is a long time seminary educator and pastor, author of Teresa of Avila’s Way and numerous articles, and founding member of The Daughters of Abraham, a national network of interfaith women’s book groups.