Reminder to Remember
Today I forgot to do something pretty important, something about 22 other women were relying on me to get done. In God’s grace I got a precious little e-mail asking if there was a problem with my computer (or hers) because she had not yet received what she had expected to have had by then. Women are so nice!
I also can’t get over how gracious God is. I have often taught that God enables whom He calls. I have heard it said that He will provide for us in every way if we answer His call to a work for Him. Today, in work I was doing for Him and through one of His servants, He reminded me to remember to do a part of that work that I had forgotten about.
God’s Word uses the word “remember” 161 times (ESV) and remind another 9 times. He tells us to remember His faithfulness to us in the past so we will have hope for the future (Psalm 105:5). We’re to remember how He treated His people when He led them out of Egypt (Psalm 105) and rescued them from slavery so we can see that same work in Christ for us. He has said we are to remember to keep His commands (Psalm 103:18) and to remember His deeds and wonders from of old (Psalm 77:11). In Ezekiel He even tells us that we will remember the evil deeds we have done and loathe ourselves because of them (Ezekiel 36:31).
All of these things He tells us to remember are for our good. He wants us to have all of the information in our minds that will keep us on the right path to a holy life and His blessings. The study of God’s Word is not to be a strictly academic pursuit. It should change our lives. Paul says in Ephesians 2:12, “Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” When we remember the time when we were without God and without hope it strengthens us for the everyday battle we fight for our devotion to Jesus Christ. Remembering where we were gives us hope because of how far God has brought us.
In the New Testament (lest you think this is only an Old Testament admonition) Jesus asks the disciples if they don’t remember how many full baskets were gathered after the feeding of the five thousand as if to remind them of His provision for them (Matthew 16:9). In Luke we’re reminded to remember Lot’s wife and so the consequences of looking back from following the Lord (Luke 17:32). Luke also reminds the disciples to remember what Jesus had told them about His resurrection (Luke 24:6).
These instructions to remember are given so we will remember who Jesus is and that what He said was true and trustworthy.
In Acts and often in Paul’s letters we’re again given instructions that will lead us to a more godly, holy life. Acts 20:35 reminds us to remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive. In 2 Timothy 2:8 we’re reminded to remember Christ Himself and His resurrection. This is to offer us hope for our own resurrection. Paul and Peter both want us to remember the predictions of the prophets and of the apostles of our Lord and of Jesus who have offered us hope for our future and promises for protection and provision for today – regardless of what the circumstances look like. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says that even in temptation God will offer us a way out. Remember that.
Mostly today I want to praise God for the way He reminds us to remember the truths we have learned about Him. He told us that one of the works of His Holy Spirit in us would be to help us remember what Jesus has said. In John 14:26 Jesus said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” How perfectly gracious and wonderful is a heavenly Father who tells us to remember and then gives us the Reminder to live in us? These things are worth remembering