DEUTERONOMY 3

When the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future. Have you ever seen that saying on a church sign or, perhaps, heard it in a sermon? As forgiven sinners with a checkered past, we don’t like to be saddled with reminders of our history. I know I don’t.

But in Deuteronomy 3 (and, I’m quite certain, the whole rest of this book!), God seems intent on taking His people down memory lane. They’re getting ready to take possession of the Promised Land, but — just like a plane sometimes sits on a runway waiting for takeoff — their progress has stalled as Moses begins reminding them of their history in the wilderness.

It seems it isn’t only the devil who has an interest in bringing up the past. But I think the difference is the motive for doing it. To be sure, the devil isn’t interested in anything but fueling our guilt and fear... and probably just plain annoying us, too. With his temptation to self-condemnation, he’d like to do anything he can to lure us back into our self-destructive behaviors.

But God takes us on a trip down memory lane for a different reason: it’s so we will remember Him and what He has done for us. He reminds us of our past — not so that we will relive our failures, but so we will relive His blessings and provisions. He reminds us of our past to fan the flames of our faith in Him regarding our future. As He has led us so wonderfully yesterday, He will continue to guide and care for us tomorrow.

Now sometimes, as in the case of the Israelites, remembering our past does include remembering how we have not lived up to God’s ideal. However, that remembrance can only be viewed through the lenses of blessing as we (once again) recall that God does not abandon us when we fail Him. His ever-steady commitment to us—even in the worst of times—is proof positive that, in Him, we truly find everything we need.

So, when it comes to remembering the past, make sure you ignore the devil. But don’t miss a chance to take a trip down memory lane with God. He reminds us of our past so we will trust Him all the more for the future!