Recounting God's deeds is a significant theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of remembering and proclaiming the mighty works of the Lord. This practice serves to strengthen faith, encourage obedience, and foster a sense of community among believers. The act of recounting God's deeds is both a personal and communal exercise, deeply rooted in the history and tradition of the people of God.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament is replete with instances where the people of Israel are commanded to remember and recount the mighty acts of God. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 , Moses instructs the Israelites: "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This passage underscores the importance of passing down the knowledge of God's deeds to future generations.

The Psalms frequently call upon the faithful to remember and declare God's works. Psalm 105:1-2 exhorts, "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders." Here, recounting God's deeds is linked with worship and evangelism, as the faithful are encouraged to proclaim His wonders to all peoples.

Historical Narratives

The historical books of the Old Testament, such as Joshua, Judges, and 1 and 2 Samuel, often recount the mighty acts of God in delivering His people. These narratives serve as reminders of God's faithfulness and power. For example, in Joshua 4:21-24 , after crossing the Jordan River, Joshua sets up twelve stones as a memorial, saying, "In the future, when your children ask their fathers, 'What is the meaning of these stones?' you are to tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over."

Prophetic Literature

The prophets also emphasize the importance of recounting God's deeds, often reminding the people of Israel of God's past faithfulness as a basis for trust and repentance. In Isaiah 63:7 , the prophet declares, "I will make known the LORD’s loving devotion and His praiseworthy acts, because of all that the LORD has done for us, the many good things for the house of Israel according to His compassion and the abundance of His loving devotion."

New Testament Continuation

In the New Testament, the theme of recounting God's deeds continues, particularly in the context of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The apostles and early Christians are depicted as witnesses to these events, tasked with proclaiming them to the world. Acts 1:8 records Jesus' words to His disciples: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

The apostle Paul frequently recounts his own conversion and the works of God in his ministry as a testimony to God's grace and power. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 , Paul summarizes the core of the Gospel message: "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

Practical Application

Recounting God's deeds is not merely a historical exercise but a vital practice for contemporary believers. It involves personal reflection, communal worship, and evangelistic proclamation. By recounting God's deeds, believers are reminded of His faithfulness, encouraged in their faith, and equipped to share the Gospel with others. This practice is a means of grace, fostering a deeper relationship with God and a greater understanding of His purposes in the world.