In the gospel of Luke, when the women come to the empty tomb, an angel meets them and tells them, “He is not here. He has risen! Remember what he told you….” Remember.

Here they were at early dawn, these faithful women. All of their hopes and dreams seemed to have been dashed with the death of Jesus. Everything they knew to be true and right with the world had been crushed, and the angel says, “Remember…”

It’s amazing how often this command appears in scripture. Often when God’s people are at a point of crisis, they are told to remember: remember the covenant, remember God’s love, remember who you are, remember where you’ve been, remember how God has acted to save you in the past.

I think that’s because if we stop remembering, we may forget that there is hope.

Today, on this new year’s day, I invite you to remember… Remember where you have seen God’s hand at work in the past. Remember when you experienced grace and love. Remember those times God carried you or rescued you. Remember…

Let us pray: Loving God, you have carried us through the storm before, you made a way through the wilderness, you have been there when we have needed you most. As we sit on the edge of this new year, remind us of those times, that we might trust you more fully, even now; through Jesus Christ. Amen.