There are many admonitions in Scripture for us to remember, and we are given the reason for doing so. We are told to: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy (Ex. 20:8 NIV)." Why? Because: "In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested the seventh day and made it holy (Ex. 20:11 NIV)." Evidently, it is important to follow the Lord's instructions to remember Him as the Creator on the Sabbath day.
God's people were urged by Moses to: "Remember the days of old, to remember from where you have come and how the Lord has led (Deut. 32:7 NIV)." Moses then proceeds to warn of the terrible calamities, judgments and apostasy that would befall if they forgot. A similar statement is made by E.G. White: "We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teachings in our past history (Life Sketches, p 196)." Why? The natural conclusion is that if we forget, then God's people should be fearful of the future of the church.
Perhaps the most puzzling call to remembrance is found in the book of Luke. Jesus is talking to His disciples about His coming kingdom, which He likens to the days of Noah and Lot. Then He makes the rather enigmatic statement: "Remember Lot's wife (Luke 17:32)!" Why are we to remember Lot's wife? What did she do that is so important to us?
Lot and his family pitched their tents toward Sodom, and then later they moved into the city, perhaps for purposes of more social interaction or for greater security and prosperity. When the angel brought the news of Sodom's imminent destruction, Lot's married children refused to leave the city. Then, in direct disregard of strict instructions, as Lot and his wife and two daughters hurriedly fled, Mrs. Lot looked back toward her dear children and cherished possessions, and she became a pillar of salt.
We are not to set our affections on the things of this world to the extent that we lose sight of God's plan for our lives, that we lose sight of that city whose founder and maker is God. We are to keep our eyes fixed on the heavenly city and on the pathway of sacrifice and hardship ahead that leads to salvation rather than longingly looking back at the pleasures and attachments of the world. Lest we forget our priorities, we are counseled to "remember Lot's wife."
