Remember the Sabbath

Deuteronomy 5:15 (ESV)

You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

How do you get over fear or anxiety?

Throughout the Bible, we are commanded to “Fear not.” Another frequent command in the Bible helps us do that, “Remember.” Why remember? So that we are not afraid because we remember how God is always there for us in the midst of the problems, trials and tribulations we face every day.

This advice was given to the Jews in Deuteronomy 5:15. God often says to the Israelites something like, “You don’t have to be afraid. I got rid of Pharaoh. I turned you from slaves to free men. I took you through the Red Sea. I brought you into the desert. I fed you mana. Then I fed you quail.” Even so, they mumbled, grumbled and whined. Jesus emphasized the importance of remembering in Matthew 16:9. And, Paul did too in Ephesians 2:12.

The quintessential movie to remember is Cecil B. DeMille’s 1956 classic starring Charlton Heston, “The Ten Commandments” and the many other versions of the story of Moses that have been made into movies many times. In these stories of Moses, the people of Israel constantly forget the great miracles God has done and constantly need to be reminded. When they forget, they whine about the food and ask to go back to slavery in Egypt.

How do you get over being afraid? Just look at what God did in your life. Look back at your life. See what God’s done to protect you and to provide for you. Then, you will not be afraid. Freed from fear, you can go forth in the power of his grace, because you know that God is present in your life.

Dear Lord, please help us to remember Your presence and provision in our life, so we can live a life free from fear and anxiety, and show everyone the victory You provide in Jesus Christ. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.