About Memories #3
We all forget. I’m hopeless when it comes to remembering passwords. I also forget names, birthdays, and appointments. While forgetting usually embarrasses and often inconveniences me, it’s much more critical that I remember those things God specifically tells me to remember.
These are the memories I must awaken—I cannot afford to forget God’s faithful involvement in my life, or His character, greatness and power, or His expectations of me and His plans for me. These memories cannot be permitted to fade. Even though this post is longer than usual, my list is only partial. Join me and awaken these memories in your heart.
- Remember what God has already done for me and around me.
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. (Ps. 105:5)
- Remember my strength, supply, and giftings are from Him.
But remember the Lord your God…it is he who gives you the ability… (Deut. 8:18)
- Remember to praise to Him—when I understand and when I don’t.
God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, “You have done wrong”? Remember to extol his work… (Job 36:22-24)
- Remember God’s power and strength when overwhelmed by what I face.
“Don’t be afraid… Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” (Neh. 4:14)
- Remember I need refreshment that is found only in His presence.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy… the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Ex. 20:8, 11)
- Remember that God sees the full picture and His purposes stand fast, even though I don’t understand and can’t see one step ahead.
“Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart…I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning…what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. (Isa. 46:8-10)
- Remember to release all I possess for God’s call and purposes.
Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. (Luke 17:32-33)
- Remember God is forever faithful, even when I suffer.
So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. (Ps. 143:4-5)
- Remember to give generously to those in need.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously… God loves a cheerful giver. (2Cor. 2 9:6-7)
- Remember to be gracious, hospitable and caring.
Do not forget [Remember]to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. (Heb. 13:2-3)
- Remember God’s power when I don’t feel His presence but desperately need it.
Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he…withheld his compassion? … I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. (Ps. 77:9, 11)
- Remember His mercy and compassion when I feel forgotten.
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall… Yet this I call to mind [remember] and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lam. 3:19-23)
- Remember His strength and power when I am weak and helpless.
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. (1 Chron. 16:11-12)
- Remember His mercy in saving me, taking me in, giving me hope.
Remember… you were separate from Christ… without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. (Eph. 2:12-13)
Holy Spirit, You are our Helper and Counselor. Awake memories of Your goodness, mercy, and love.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26)
There they were, minding their own business (which was sheep) and the most astounding event in their shepherding career burst upon them. Never had they imagined an angel visitation, much less a host of worshiping angels. How astounding was that sight, that sound on an otherwise routine night? What they saw and heard was like nothing they ever experienced or would experience again.
