February 29, 2016

February 29, 2016

Remembering

Some memories take up permanent residence in the heart and there is nothing, it seems, we can do to evict them.  Others, perhaps memories with greater significance, seem determined to escape the confines the mind.  We must regularly review and rehearse them to keep them on file.

It would be unbearable to remember everything—it would just be too much.  Somewhere between those memories lodged too deep to expel and those that are so near the surface that they seem to evaporate like so much mist, lie all the other events and people and words we have encountered thus far. Most of them do not become memories and that is a blessing.

It would serve no purpose here to evaluate all the different kinds of memories each of us holds.  It is broad enough to say that we remember things that have happened to us, things that have been said to us, and things we have done or failed to do.  Some memories are comforting, running like pleasant movies in our head whenever we need an emotional lift.  Others are so painful we must turn away from the screen in our mind, turn off the projector, or switch to some other, more pleasant narrative.

If we do not tend the pains of the past, they will visit us in the night, strange tales with characters and settings all confused and making use of bizarre symbolism to try and make us remember the causes of our pain and perhaps to do something about it.

Remembering is a function of prayer. 

• In the presence of the Lord, with His Word open before us, we deliberate re-read passages we have read for years and we remember.  Along with the memory of what we heard God say long ago, we also hear new things to remember from now on. 
• When we consult the list of those who are depending on our intercession, we remember faces and voices that are dear to us and these memories add power to our prayers for them. 
• When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we recall “our sins” and “those have who have sinned against us.”  It is time to search our memories for sins we have yet to repent of and to see that faces of those we are in the process of forgiving.
• When we celebrate the Lord’s Table, we do so in remembrance of the sacrifices Jesus made for us somehow we are strengthen by His sustaining grace.  In a holy reverse of memory we also anticipate the soon return of Jesus. 

Facing the challenges of everyday life, we must remember the promises of God, for sometimes events seem to be random and people are hostile.  We must remember that God is faithful—He keeps His covenant!

Thanksgiving and praise are essential parts of worship and they are the essence of remembering.  Hearing ourselves rehearse the record of God’s faithfulness and calling to mind the excellence of our King and His Kingdom strengthens us for whatever might be ahead. 

Remembering is a process of taking control of the mind, of selecting our thoughts, and of facing the dangers of the day ahead armed with Truth.

Scriptures:            

Deut 8:11 NIV

Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.

John 15:20 NIV

Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.   

Phil 4:8-9 NIV

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Ps 77 NIV

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.  When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.   I remembered you, O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint. Selah

You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.  I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;  I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit inquired:  “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?  Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” Selah  

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High.”  I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.  I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?  You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.  With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah  

The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.  The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth.  Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.  Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.  You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Prayers:

Lord Jesus, today I choose to remember.  I remember the prophesies so ancient in origin and current in application:  You came, born of a virgin, living a sinless life, showing us the Father, taking on our sins, dying on the cross, rising from the dead, ascending to heaven’s throne, sending Your Spirit to abide in us.  I remember Your presence so warm in my heart as a child, so faithful in my life as a young man, so tested and true to me with my family, so near to me in this moment.  I remember Your call on my life, the exciting doors You have opened, the painful ones You have closed.  I remember Your name, Your cause, Your reward.  Holy Spirit do not let me forget.  Amen.

Semper Reformanda!

Stephen Phifer