Passover, Providence, and Purpose: Why Remembering Matters
Lately, the word "remember" has been everywhere in my life, and I can't shake the feeling that God is pressing it deep into my heart.
It keeps coming up—in conversations, in Scripture, even in the stories of Haman, Nehemiah, and Joshua, all unfolding in Nisan, the month of Passover. That timing isn’t random. It’s a reminder. A reminder that God is always at work, always in control, always leading His people toward deliverance.
And I need that reminder. Because when uncertainty creeps in, it’s easy to freeze up, to get anxious, to wonder if things will work out. But then I heard this: “Remembering is our weapon against anxiety.” And it hit me—remembering isn’t just recalling facts. It’s anchoring my heart in who God is and what He’s done.
He’s been faithful before. He’ll be faithful again. And that truth moves me forward. So today, I’m choosing to remember. And I pray you do too.
And maybe that’s why this theme of remembering has been everywhere—because change is always coming. And with it, the temptation to fear, to freeze, to forget. But God calls us to something different. He calls us to remember.
Change is Coming—And It Brings Work
Spring is in the air. Flowers bloom, and the days grow longer. But with the beauty of spring comes work—power-washing pollen-covered porches, replanting flowers, cleaning out closets, purging old toys. Change doesn’t just happen; it demands something from us.
Life’s seasons are no different. Some changes are expected, like shifting schedules or the slow transitions of parenting. Others catch us off guard—a job loss, an unexpected diagnosis, a political climate that feels unstable, or a leadership shift that leaves us feeling powerless. And when uncertainty shakes us, we are tempted to freeze, to become anxious or fearful. But in the midst of life’s uncertainty, God offers us a way forward: remembering.
This kind of active remembrance was woven into Israel’s identity through the festivals and feasts commanded in Scripture. These practices weren’t just about recalling what God had done—they actively shaped His people. In the same way, the rhythms and routines we weave into our lives have the power to prompt remembrance that anchors our hearts, aligns us with God’s purposes, and keeps us steady in a chaotic world.
This theme is especially clear in the stories of Esther, Joshua, and Nehemiah. Each took place around Passover—and each reveals how remembering God’s faithfulness anchors us, moves us to action, and equips us for the work ahead.
Esther: Remembering Passover Anchors Us
In Esther 3, Haman casts lots—a Persian practice for decision-making—to determine when to carry out his plan for the mass destruction of the Jews. This took place in Nisan, the very month of Passover, when the Jews celebrated their deliverance from Egypt.
This is no coincidence. There are no coincidences with God—only providence. Even in the midst of looming destruction, God was still at work. And in remembering, the Jews would have been grounded in the truth that their God had been faithful before and would be faithful again.
For the Persians, casting lots was a way to let fate decide. But Scripture reminds us that nothing is random with God—He is in control of every situation.
Application: When leadership fails, when culture is broken, when setbacks come, or when I’m raising my children in an uncertain world—God is still at work. Just as He was sovereign over the seemingly random casting of lots, He is sovereign over the uncertain and difficult moments in my life. Hebrews 6:19 (ESV) says, “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.” In times of fear and uncertainty, remembering God’s faithfulness becomes the anchor that holds us firm in His unshakable purpose.
Joshua: Remembering Passover Moves Us to Action
In Joshua 4:19-20, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River on the tenth day of Nisan—the same time as Passover. After crossing, they camped at Gilgal, where Joshua set up twelve stones from the river as a memorial. This act of remembrance, aligned with Passover, pointed them back to God’s deliverance from Egypt and His provision in their present moment.
Joshua wasn’t just calling them to remember—he was calling them to move forward. They stood on the threshold of the Promised Land, facing new battles and uncertainties. Remembering wasn’t about looking back—it was about stepping forward in faith. The same God who had delivered them before would be with them as they took new ground.
Application:
Fear often keeps me stuck—trapped by past failures, uncertain futures, and overwhelming transitions. But remembering who God is and what He has done keeps my feet moving.
Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Even when I feel inadequate or unsure, remembering God’s past faithfulness helps me trust that He is already ahead of me.
Corrie Ten Boom often shared how, as a child, her father would take her on train rides without showing her the ticket. She didn’t need to know the destination—she only needed to stay close to her father. In the same way, I don’t need to know every detail of my future; I need only to trust my Father. Remembering God’s faithfulness gives me the courage to move forward, knowing that He will guide me step by step.
Nehemiah: Remembering Passover Equips Us for the Work
In Nehemiah 2:1, Nehemiah made his bold request to the king to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. This happened in Nisan—the same month as Passover. Again, this isn’t a coincidence but a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness in the midst of devastation.
Nehemiah’s request aligned with the season of deliverance, pointing to God’s ongoing work even in the face of opposition. The rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls was more than a physical project—it was part of God’s greater restoration. This moment of remembrance wasn’t about looking back; it was about stepping into the work of rebuilding with confidence in God’s faithfulness.
Application:
When the task ahead feels too big, when the calling feels too great, when opposition or self-doubt threatens to stop me, remembering strengthens me.
In Nehemiah 6:9 (ESV), facing intense opposition, Nehemiah prays, “For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.’ But now, O God, strengthen my hands.” He knew he wasn’t enough in his own strength—but he trusted the God who had called him to this work.
The same is true for me. When I feel overwhelmed, remembering God’s past deliverance reminds me that He not only prepares the situation—He also prepares me. Just as Nehemiah trusted God to rebuild what was broken, I can trust that God is at work restoring, equipping, and sustaining me.
Closing: Remembering Jesus, Our True Passover Lamb
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:7, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” Just as the original Passover lamb was slain to deliver God’s people, Jesus was sacrificed to free us from sin and death. His work on the cross fulfills the themes of deliverance, purpose, and stability found in the stories of Joshua, Nehemiah, and Esther.
As we prepare for both Passover and Easter, we take to heart Jesus’ words in Luke 22:19: “Do this in remembrance of me.” Jesus deepens the meaning of deliverance and purpose, offering us the ultimate source of courage, stability, and hope in uncertain times.
Application and Call to Action:
When fear and uncertainty arise, we can find courage in remembering God’s faithfulness—just as Joshua stepped into the unknown with a known God. We can find purpose in the same God who equipped Nehemiah to rebuild. And in moments of chaos, we can trust, like Esther, that God’s sovereignty holds everything together.
So today, let’s actively remember. Let’s anchor our hearts in His faithfulness, take bold steps forward, and trust that He is equipping us for the work ahead.
