Remember.

"When the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them, 'Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them, or sacrifice to them. But the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and an outstretched arm, is the one you must worship... Do not worship other gods. Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods."
2 Kings 17:35-39

How easily we forget. How easily we worship tangible things or ourselves with our minds and hearts, time and energy. How easily we forget the very nature of God.

Throughout the Old Testament especially, God calls us to remember, and to remember that nothing we do makes us warrant his love. He chose us. That remembrance should bring true repentance, and turning from our former ways because we cannot help but follow where God is leading us.

"Since ancient times no one has heard,
no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who gladly acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
You come to the help of those who do right,
who remember your ways.
But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry.
How then can we be saved? (????)
All our righteous acts are like FILTHY RAGS...
No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you..
YET, O Lord, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
Oh look upon us, we pray, for we are all your people."
Isaiah 64:4-9

Father we are all deeply deeply screwed up. Even the things we try so hard to do righteously are filthy when compared to your holy perfection.

Yet you love us and have saved us from the things that entangle us. May we live freely in that love, and have faith in your grace. Give us the strength to walk in obedience and sanctification, as You do work in us. Not by our own anything, so that we cannot boast. We are filthy and you are holy. We are helpless and you are mighty. Rise up those you are calling and fill us with your love for those around us.