Remember the Hard Times

by Zeke Flores

"You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt" (Deuteronomy 16:12).

Deuteronomy 16 outlines Israel's major festivals, but the point is found in Deuteronomy 16:12. The festivals weren’t just celebrations; they were structured reminders.

Israel needed rhythms that kept their history in view. Remembering their past wasn’t about dwelling on trauma; it was about staying grounded. They had been rescued. Their freedom wasn’t self-made; their identity came from God’s intervention.

We need similar anchors. Not festivals, but intentional reminders of what God has brought us through. Without them, we drift into self-reliance or forgetfulness. Deuteronomy 16 shows that memory is a spiritual discipline. It keeps pride in check and gratitude alive.

Think about a simple way to build remembrance into your routine. A journal entry. A conversation. A moment of reflection. Moses’ point is clear. Remembering shapes how you live now and in the future.