The most recognisable phrase of an Anzac dawn service — “Lest we forget” — comes from a Christian poem written by Rudyard Kipling in England. Known as the Recessional, it is often read or sung as a hymn at Anzac Day events.

The phrase “lest we forget” is sounded to call our nation to remember the sacrifice made by our fallen soldiers in war. Yet Kipling penned those words in 1897 with a different meaning in mind.

The Recessional issued a warning against pride in British military might, cautioning that a nation’s success could quickly vanish if that nation forgot God. Kipling based the phrase “lest we forget” on biblical passages such as Deuteronomy 4:8–9 and 6:12, where Moses implores Israel to remember God and his laws:

“And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?
“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children.” Deuteronomy 4:8-9

“Take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear.” Deuteronomy 6:12-13

Sadly, Australia has not only forgotten God but it has rejected Him and His commandments and it is already reaping the consequences of that decision. We have also forgotten that God judges nations. We only have to look at the history of the nation God established for His purposes, Israel to see God’s repeated judgement.

God establishes nations – as detailed in many portions of Scripture including the following:

“He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them” Job 12:23

“I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted” Jeremiah 18:9

“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him” Acts 17:26-27