August 8, 2025 Devo

On July 14, 2023, Kenneth Webb was cooking up some food at his home in Jackson, Mississippi. It was something he loved to do. But his deep fryer splashed some grease that caught his house on fire. In the heat and smoke, Kenneth passed out. When the Jackson Fire Department Station 11 arrived on the scene, they kicked down the door and found him unconscious and unresponsive. They carried him out and began to try to resuscitate him. Though it looked bleak, they continued to work on him well past the usual amount of time. Finally, they got a pulse and got him breathing again.
Ken was in a coma for a week. But when he finally opened his eyes and heard what had happened, he realized what a blessed man he was. When he was released from the hospital, he went to Fire Station 11 to thank the firefighters personally. Somehow it didn’t feel like quite enough. So last year, he got an idea. On July 14th, the anniversary of his fire, he did what he does best. He cooked up a feast and took to the firehouse to celebrate those who had given him a second chance at life. This year, he did it again. He decided that from now on, on every July 14th, he would celebrate with them this way. And he plans on doing so until the day he dies. It’s his way that he makes sure that he doesn’t forget to remember.
The festival that the psalmist mentions is likely the “Feast of the Tabernacles,” which celebrates the mighty acts of God, beginning with the Exodus. It was God’s way of helping the people to never forget His Love, His Power, His Deliverance, and His Salvation. God knew how busy people get and how quickly even important, memorable events can easily be forgotten. So every year, the people would celebrate. They would tell the stories, remember the amazing acts of God, and be reminded again how blessed they truly are.
Doesn’t that sound like a great thing for US to do? And not just at Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. Maybe we ought to do something special on the anniversary of the day we committed our lives to Christ. Reminding ourselves of how He changed our lives. Maybe we ought to mark special days on the anniversary of a special healing, a special provision, or a breakthrough that God has done. I wonder how that might boost our faith and expectations of Him. It’s too easy to let all that God has done simply slip away and be forgotten. I like Kenneth Webb’s approach. Let’s have a feast, throw a party, or at least light a candle or take some time to worship and praise Him. God has rescued and redeemed each of us from our own fires. Let’s not forget to remember. That’s God’s Word for you today.