God's Ever-Present Love: Remembering, Calling, and Serving

Devotional

Day 1: God Remembers His People and Keeps His Covenant

God’s remembrance is not forgetfulness, but a deep, active faithfulness to His promises; when God “remembers,” He moves to rescue, restore, and renew, as seen in His response to the groaning of His people in Egypt and throughout the stories of Joseph, Rachel, Abraham, Noah, and Moses. [25:02]

Exodus 2:24 (ESV)
And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

Reflection: When have you felt forgotten or overlooked? How might you look for signs of God’s active remembrance and faithfulness in your life this week?

Day 2: The Name of God—“I AM”

God reveals Himself to Moses as “I AM,” the One who was, is, and will be, inviting us to trust in His eternal presence and sufficiency even when we feel inadequate or uncertain about our calling. [26:43]

Exodus 3:14-15 (ESV)
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to remember that God is present—past, present, and future—no matter your doubts or limitations?

Day 3: Jesus, the “I AM” Before Abraham

Jesus boldly claims His divinity by declaring, “Before Abraham was, I am,” connecting Himself to the God of Moses and inviting us to recognize Him as the eternal, living God who fulfills all God’s promises. [19:11]

John 8:56-59 (ESV)
“Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Reflection: How does Jesus’ claim to be the eternal “I AM” shape your trust in Him today, especially in moments of fear or uncertainty?

Day 4: God Calls Ordinary People to Extraordinary Tasks

God persistently calls and equips even the reluctant and imperfect—like Moses—to participate in His work, providing what is needed and never giving up on those He chooses, no matter how many excuses or doubts arise. [28:17]

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (ESV)
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

Reflection: What is one area where you feel unqualified or hesitant to serve? How might you step forward in faith, trusting God to provide what you need?

Day 5: Remembered and Welcomed at Christ’s Table

Just as the thief on the cross asked Jesus to remember him, and as God remembered His people, we are invited to Christ’s table where all are welcomed, forgiven, and remembered in love—no one is turned away from His grace. [34:21]

Luke 23:42-43 (ESV)
And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Reflection: As you come to the Lord’s table or remember His sacrifice, who in your life needs to know they are remembered and welcomed by God—and how can you extend that invitation or assurance to them this week?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering was a tapestry of remembrance, calling, and blessing. We began by holding in prayer all those affected by violence and conflict, both near and far, lighting a candle as a sign that God’s light persists even in the deepest darkness. In the midst of our own struggles and the world’s pain, we are reminded to breathe deeply and trust that God is present with us, sustaining us through every trial.

We reflected on the story of Moses, a man called by God to a task that seemed impossible. Like Moses, we often feel inadequate or reluctant when faced with God’s call. Yet, God’s response is not frustration but persistent provision—offering signs, support, and even the companionship of others, like Aaron, to help us fulfill our purpose. God’s name, revealed to Moses as “I AM,” speaks to a presence that transcends time: God was, is, and will be. This holy name is a reminder that God’s faithfulness is not bound by our limitations or failures.

The children and youth were invited to recommit to “strive for five”—finding five new ways to serve, give, or show love in our community as the year draws to a close. This is not just a program, but a living out of our faith, a tangible way to remember that we are called to be God’s hands and feet in the world.

We also considered the deep significance of being remembered by God. In the Hebrew Scriptures, when God “remembers,” it is not a lapse of memory but a movement toward action, compassion, and deliverance. God remembered the people in slavery, and God remembers us in our need. This theme finds its fulfillment in Jesus, who claims the divine name and offers himself as the one who remembers us even in our darkest moments—like the thief on the cross who simply asks, “Jesus, remember me.”

Our time together culminated in the blessing of quilts, symbols of warmth and care, stitched by loving hands to be sent wherever comfort is needed. We shared in the meal of Holy Communion, where Jesus welcomes all, offering forgiveness, life, and salvation. As we go forth, we are sent with the assurance that God’s presence, blessing, and call go with us into the world.

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Key Takeaways

1. God’s Remembrance Is Action, Not Amnesia When Scripture says God “remembers,” it is not that God has forgotten, but that God is moved to act on behalf of those in need. This remembrance is a promise that God’s covenant love is steadfast, and that our cries are never ignored. In our own seasons of waiting or suffering, we can trust that God’s memory is always active and compassionate, leading to deliverance in God’s time. [25:02]
2. God’s Name Reveals God’s Timeless Presence The revelation of God’s name to Moses—“I AM”—is more than a title; it is a declaration that God is eternally present: past, present, and future. This means that God’s faithfulness is not limited to a single moment or generation, but is a living reality for us today. When we feel uncertain or afraid, we can rest in the assurance that the God who was with Moses is with us now and always will be. [26:43]
3. God Calls the Reluctant and Provides What Is Needed Moses’ reluctance and excuses mirror our own hesitations when faced with daunting tasks or new callings. Yet, God’s response is not to withdraw the call, but to provide signs, support, and companions for the journey. Our inadequacies do not disqualify us; rather, they become opportunities for God’s sufficiency to shine through. [28:17]
4. Being Remembered by God Is Our Deepest Hope The plea of the thief on the cross—“Jesus, remember me”—echoes the longing of every human heart to be known, valued, and not forgotten. God’s remembrance is not just for the heroes of faith, but for each of us, especially in our moments of greatest need. This assurance invites us to approach God with honesty and hope, trusting that we are always held in divine memory and mercy. [34:21]
5. Our Acts of Service and Blessing Are Extensions of God’s Love The blessing of quilts and the invitation to “strive for five” are not mere activities, but expressions of God’s love made tangible through our hands. When we serve, give, and bless others, we participate in God’s ongoing work of comfort and restoration in the world. Each small act, stitched together, becomes a testimony to the warmth and faithfulness of God’s presence among us. [40:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:59] - Prayers for a World in Need
[04:39] - Prelude and Gathering
[05:39] - Announcements and Litany
[13:23] - Gospel Reading: John 8
[19:11] - Jesus Declares “I Am”
[20:11] - Children’s Time: Strive for Five
[23:00] - Community Challenges and Gratitude
[25:02] - God Remembers: The Hebrew Perspective
[26:43] - The Name of God: “I AM”
[28:17] - Moses’ Reluctance and God’s Provision
[30:21] - The Exodus and God’s Persistent Call
[31:59] - Jesus and the Divine Name
[32:57] - Remembering the Exodus in Jesus’ Day
[34:21] - “Jesus, Remember Me”: The Thief’s Prayer
[40:02] - Quilt Blessing and Prayers
[50:25] - Communion and Invitation
[52:54] - The Lord’s Prayer and Open Table
[54:28] - Sending and Blessing
[65:50] - Final Benediction and Announcements

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1. Exodus 3:13-15 (ESV) — > Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.”

2. John 8:56-58 (ESV) — > Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

3. Luke 23:42-43 (ESV) — > And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Observation Questions

In Exodus 3, what question does Moses ask God, and how does God respond regarding His name?
According to the sermon, what does it mean when Scripture says “God remembered” someone or something? [[25:02]]
In John 8, how do the people react when Jesus says, “Before Abraham was, I am”? [[19:11]]
What is the significance of the thief’s request to Jesus on the cross in Luke 23? [[34:21]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon explains that when God “remembers,” it is not about forgetting, but about being moved to act. How does this understanding of God’s remembrance change the way one might view times of waiting or suffering? [[25:02]]
Moses expresses reluctance and doubt about his calling. What does God’s response to Moses’ excuses reveal about God’s character and the way God calls people? [[28:17]]
Jesus’ use of the phrase “I am” in John 8 connects him to God’s name revealed to Moses. Why was this statement so controversial, and what does it say about who Jesus claims to be? [[31:59]]
The sermon highlights the thief’s plea, “Jesus, remember me.” Why might being remembered by God be described as our “deepest hope”? [[34:21]]

Application Questions

The sermon invites everyone to “strive for five”—finding five new ways to serve, give, or show love. What are five specific things you could do in the next three months to serve or bless others in your community or church? [[20:11]]
Moses felt inadequate and tried to avoid God’s call, but God provided support and companions. Have you ever felt unqualified for something you sensed God was calling you to do? What support or encouragement did you receive, or do you need now? [[28:17]]
When you hear that God’s remembrance leads to action, not just memory, how does that affect your prayers for yourself or others who are suffering? [[25:02]]
Jesus’ statement “I am” means God is present—past, present, and future. In what area of your life do you need to trust that God is with you right now? [[26:43]]
The blessing of quilts was described as a tangible sign of God’s love. What is one practical way you can be a “quilt” for someone else this week—offering comfort, warmth, or support? [[40:02]]
The thief on the cross simply asked, “Jesus, remember me.” Is there a simple, honest prayer you need to bring to God right now? What is it? [[34:21]]
Communion was described as a meal where Jesus welcomes all, offering forgiveness and life. How does this open invitation shape the way you think about who belongs in the church and at God’s table? [[52:54]]

Sermon Clips

So this week, during the Tuesday morning Bible study, we were captivated by the words we find in Exodus chapter 2, verse 24. And it says, and God remembered the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. So then the question was asked, does that mean that God forgets? Well, that's a great question. Which then led me to do some research on the Hebrew word for remember. This word is way is core. Way is core is used 24 times in the first or Old Testament. And as I looked at each time way is core, remember, or remembered was used. It dealt with things like the people, God's covenant, and then people in particular, Joseph, Rachel, Abraham, Noah, and now Moses. [00:24:35]

So we see that God remembered that the people were groaning under this yoke of slavery. God remembered them. And God called Moses to do the job of getting these people out of slavery and into freedom once again. And I know, and I can certainly relate, maybe you can too, to the reluctance of Moses, trying every excuse under the Egyptian sun to have God choose someone else. [00:25:38]

Who shall I say is calling me? Moses asks. And then God answers with a name that is not spoken by our Jewish siblings even today. In Hebrew, we only have the four consonants of this name because it is not spoken. And we have to make a very educated guess as to how to pronounce it. No vowel appointments in this name. Y -H -W -H are the letters, and we assume that name is Yahweh. Yahweh, our Bibles tell us and let us know every time this name shows up in Scripture because it is always capitalized. [00:26:14]

So when you come across it, if you look at chapter 3, verse 15 in our lesson for today, you will see the name Lord all in capital letters. That is our clue that it is that tetragrammaton, that four -letter name. So what does this mean? Well, we have I am that God says to Moses, but because it's this tetragrammaton, which means that four -letter name for God, it can also mean I was what I was, I am what I am, I will be what I will be. So in other words, the name of God is the God who is past and future. [00:27:02]

Not even having God's name was enough for Moses. So he says to God, what if you don't believe me? So God, we skip these verses, but God has Moses take his staff and throw it to the ground, and it becomes a snake. And then God says, pick up the snake by its tail. Dumb thing to do. And it becomes a staff again. Ooh, well, that sounds great. Is that enough? Nope. Moses is still very reluctant. [00:27:47]

So God says, put your hand inside your cloak. So he does, pulls it out. It's covered with a skin disease. And then God says, put your hand back inside your cloak. Boom. Pulls it out. It's all restored. Is that enough? Nope. Even that wasn't enough. Moses complains that he is, which is in our lesson for today, it's slow of speech. And God provides yet again. [00:28:25]

Even when God gets miffed at Moses, God is insistent and consistent and keeps calling Moses to do the work that he is to do. So with every excuse, God provides a solution up to and including his brother Aaron, who comes into this call without even having an option, and letting him be the mouthpiece for God's words through Moses. [00:28:51]

Moses, oh yeah, and on the way, on their way back to Egypt, right, God tells Moses that all of these feats that you can now do will not even come close to letting Pharaoh let the people go. But go, Moses. Go anyhow and do it anyway. So Moses does. And 13 times, God tells Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh to ask for the freedom of their clans. [00:29:24]

This includes not only those feats that I mentioned before, but 10 really nasty plagues. Blood, frogs, lice or gnats, flies, infecting livestock, pestilence, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and finally the death of the firstborn of every thing. It is only after the last one. The 14th time, Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh. Pharaoh, and they are finally granted freedom. [00:29:59]

So does this tell you anything about evangelism? Finally. Finally, God remembered them and freedom came. And they lived happily ever after. Not. If only it would have been that easy. As we read the first testament, we know that these people of God were what God labeled as a stubborn and stiff -necked people. They messed up again and again. And God remembered them again and again. And brought them back into covenantal relationship again and again. Until at last, God sent God's own self in Jesus to the world. [00:30:33]

And then, you would think everything would be great. But our gospel lesson tells us today, Jesus is in the temple discussing with the Jews. And this discussion got so heated that those listening wanted to kill Jesus. They picked up stones right there in the temple, right on the spot. Fortunately, Jesus got away. And as John tells us, it was not his time yet. [00:31:24]

So what was the kicker of this argument? Well, Jesus had the audacity to equate himself with what Moses was given. That powerful, powerful name before Abraham was, I am. [00:31:59]

So what do we think when people talk like this today? Today? Today? We think they're crazy. We think they're crazy. Or on drugs. Or have a mental disorder. And our reactions go from simple amusement to downright fear. [00:32:31]

Would it have been any different in Jesus' day if those people were listening to him in the temple? Well, I don't think so. What would have been different is that those who were in the temple that day would have been able to instantly remember the story of Moses and God having that relationship that we just read this morning in Exodus. They would remember that Moses and Aaron worked hard for their freedom and brought them from slavery, so something they remember, right, together every Passover Seder. [00:32:57]

They would remember that the holy name of Jesus spoke, the holy name that Jesus spoke is not spoken by anyone except once. On the day of atonement, on the day of atonement, by the high priest of that day, in the holy of holies, and then it's only whispered while they pray the prayers. So who does Jesus think he is? [00:33:39]

I want to tell you, my favorite, remember, in the Bible doesn't come from John's gospel, but from Luke's. In chapter 24, Jesus and the two thieves are hanging on the cross, and they are actively dying. And one of the thieves who is hanging with Jesus turns to him and says, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Just as God remembered the people, God's covenant, and Joseph, and Rachel, and Abraham. and Noah, and Moses. This thief also wanted to be remembered. I want to be remembered too. Don't you? [00:34:21]

May God's hand keep you from stumbling, the footprints of Jesus give you confidence to follow, and the fire of the Spirit keep you burning yet safe as you walk with God this week. Go in peace. Thanks be to God. [01:07:18]

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