September 11: A Call to Remember

On September 11, 2001 two planes crashed into the world trade centers, one plane hit the pentagon, and another plane wrecked in a Pennsylvania field. The twin towers were completely toppled, the Pentagon was greatly damaged, and the plane which went down in the field was apparently taken over by passengers who prevented the terrorist from hitting another target. 2,996 people lost their lives that day in that senseless and horrible attack (2,606 in the world trade center, 265 on the planes, and 125 at the Pentagon; this includes 414 first responders) and 6,000 were injured. It is hard to believe it has been 15 years since that day and harder to believe many in the audience today were not alive or too young to remember it.

I can still remember the very spot I was standing when I first heard of the news. I remember watching in horror as the second plane crashed into the twin towers and the black smoke billowed into the sky. I remember hearing about the plane which crashed in the Pentagon and then the heroic efforts of those on flight 93 who probably prevented a greater tragedy by fighting for the plane and causing it to crash in that Pennsylvania field.

In the aftermath of the events there were slogans which emerged with a promise to never forget the events of that day. But the days and seasons passed and eventually we have forgotten the horrors and pain of that day.

Late in 1918 the Germans agreed to sign the armistice to end World War 1. They requested they sign in on November 11, 1918 at eleven minutes past the eleventh hour: 11-11 at 11:11 AM. They wanted to remember the horrors of war they had experienced and the 2 million Germans who were perished in the war. After the war, every year on 11-11 at 11:11 AM there was a moment of silence observed in German school to remember the horrors of that war. By the 1950’s, when the memory of the horror of WW1 and WW2 had faded it was forgotten and no longer observed.

1. Warnings about forgetting/Need to Remember

Israel is often rebuked for forgetting God (Dt. 32:15-18; Ps. 78:11-20; 106:9-13, 21; Hosea 13:4-6). The horrors of the time period of the Judges was marked by the people forgetting God (Judges 3:7). The apostle Paul writes to remind the Philippians as a safeguard (Phil. 3:1) and part of the reasons Peter wrote 2 Peter was to remind the brethren to remain faithful to God. 

When we forget to follow the Lord the result is judgment. Israel forgot the Lord and were sold into the power of Sisera (1 Sam. 12:9; the full story is told in Judges 4-5). Israel forgot who provided for her and received judgment for her actions (Hos. 2:8-13).

Sometimes we might remember what God has done but it fails to affect our behavior. I am sure that Joash never fully forgot all that Jehoiada the priest did for him but it did not prevent him from killing Jehoiada’s son (2 Chron. 24:20-22).

2. Call to Remember

God often calls the nation to remember to worship him. Israel must remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy (Ex. 20:8). The tassels on the edge of their garments were to help them remember the Lord’s commandments (Num. 15:39-40). Rebellious Judah is called to remember what Balak and Balaam tried to do to them but how the Lord protected them. They disciples were rebuked because they were worried about not bringing bread on their journey and did not remember God could provide for them (Mt. 16:9; Mk 8:18-19). We are called to remember the Lord’s death until he returns (1 Cor. 11:23-26)

3. Leaders job is to remind the people about God

One of the job of the leaders of God’s people is to remind the flock what God has done for them. As they are leaving Egypt, Moses tells the people to make sure and remember this day and how God delivered them from bondage (Ex. 13:3)! The feast of Unleavened bread and the consecration of the firstborn were to be continual reminders of their deliverance from Egypt (Ex. 13:1-16).

One of the major problems in Jeremiah’s day was false prophets. In Jeremiah 23, God issues a harsh rebuke against them and accuses them of causing the people to forget God (Jer. 23:25-32).

God’s leaders must help the flock to remember the mighty acts of God! They are to ever feed the flock on meat of God's word so they might draw close to Him in worship and, eventually, obtain the blessing of reward.

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