Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “Recessional” was composed on the occasion of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The poem expresses pride in the British Empire, but also an underlying sadness that the Empire might go the way of all previous empires. I was recently reminded that each of the verses of “Recessional” ends with a famous refrain evidently drawn from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy,
“Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget lest we forget!” (Deuteronomy 8)
It’s easy to forget, isn’t it? It’s easy to take for granted the blessings that are ours. Just as easy, and perhaps worse, to believe that we somehow deserve these blessings.
During this Thanksgiving season, I have been reflecting on Kipling’s use of the Deuteronomy prayer. Too much good goes undone, and too much evil gets done because we forget. One of my favorite preachers of another generation, Halford Luccock, told about a young man who lived and worked in a rather tough environment. He tried to stay faithful in his Christian faith when people were cruel to him. He was not always appreciated for his religious views, and people would make fun of him. They were always challenging him and his commitment. One day a particularly abusive person said scornfully, “You damn fool, can’t you see if there is a God who cares a penny for you, He would tell someone to come along and give you what you need—decent food, a bed for yourself, at least a chance to make good.”
The young man replied, “I reckon God does tell someone. But someone always forgets.”
So God does tell someone—to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide shelter for the homeless, to visit widows, to be attentive to the lonely, and pay attention to prisoners. God does someone. He tells you and me! But we forget, don’t we?
“Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget lest we forget!”