On birthdays of family or friends I often give them a word gift. I write a short note of things I remember about them. It seems to be appreciated by the recipient but I think I may get more from it than they do. I usually recall some tidbit that makes me once again appreciate the value of the relationship we have.
Remembering is hard for me. It always has been. In school, I couldn’t memorize poetry, I had a hard time remembering lists of things. The Sr. English final exam was matching up lists of authors and their works. I fretted about it the entire time I was in high school. It was traumatic, I still wonder how I passed it. Perhaps Mrs. Harrison had pity on me.
I have very little memory of early years. My siblings speak of things I have no recollection of. I really labor over some of those ‘I remember’ notes, but as I have cultivated the habit, it seems to have helped somewhat.
Tonight I exercise my memory again. As I turn to scripture I am amazed at how often my Father has instructed me to remember!
“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”(Deut. 8:2 NIV)
“…remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth,..”(Deut 8:18 NIV)
“Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced..”(1Chron 16:12 NIV)
Over and over in scripture, God has told His people to remember, admonished them to not forget where they have been, how He has rescued, how He has provided. Over and over, they did not. When they looked with fear on their circumstance rather than looking in faith at the One Who had been so faithful, they forgot how powerful He is. They forgot that He works in ways that are completely unexpected. He speaks and it simply IS. Over and over they forgot.
I purpose that I am not forgetful in that way. I purpose to remember the faithfulness of my Father.
I have been in difficult situations and struggled for lengthy periods of time. When I prayed for an escape He gave me grace sufficient to wait. When it seemed like financial burdens would build up, like manna from heaven, there was always more than enough, even abundant blessing. When I have put my trust in people, He has reminded me that people fail but He does not. Ever.
My body fails and displays it’s limitations, it is only dust. Just as Jesus warned Peter, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41 NIV) All my good purposes, all my good intentions, all my sincerity, all of it vanishes when He does not sustain me. When I fail to remember Him, fail to speak to Him, fail to listen for His Voice, my flesh shows itself. Fear and doubt raise their ugly heads. He never withheld anything, but I stopped asking and receiving.
So I sit in the quiet late night and remember. It is not my first trip around this wilderness. Seems the scenery is a bit too familiar. Maybe this will be my last pass by this way….
I purpose to remember every deliverance, every provision, and every direction, all the while listening and expecting that He will do the same again.
He is faithful.
Always.
Hallelujah.
