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DEVOTION / Remember me

DEVOTION / Remember me

Blog, Devotions

On a walk

I was heading out for my morning walk. Strolling down the street, I happened to run into my next door neighbor. Cal is a great guy: active, hard worker, friendly, a WWII veteran. Approaching 95, he still works outside on his yard daily. Couldn't ask for a better neighbor.

Greeting him, we talked for a bit. His wife had sent him out to check on "the loud noises." I had been working outside and hadn't heard anything. He seemed satisfied. Smiling, he said "Wife must have been dreaming again!" Then he asked, "By the way, who are you?"

Don't you remember?

My heart sank. We've lived next door for 10-plus years. But he clearly did not recognize me. Even when I explained that I was his next-door neighbor, his reply was "Oh, really?"

It shocked me to think that Cal didn't know me anymore. My mom had suffered with Alzheimer's for her last years, but at least she always recognized me. I know others aren't so fortunate. How devastating not to be remembered by those closest in your family!

"Remember" in the Bible

Looking at the word "remember" in God's Word is interesting. My sources reveal it appears over 230 times, but only 50 times in the New Testament. Also interestingly, it is applied to both God and human beings -- believers and unbelievers. Here are some select passages that focus on "remembering":

  • God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark (Genesis 8:1).

  • Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth (Genesis 9:16).

  • Then Samson prayed .... “Sovereign LORD, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes (Judges 16:28).

  • Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old (Psalm 25:6).

  • Though I scatter them among the peoples, yet in distant lands they will remember me. They and their children will survive, and they will return (Zechariah 10:9).

"Jesus, remember me"

"Jesus, remember me." Remember who spoke those famous words? Yes, the thief on the cross. More important than the question is Jesus' answer. Luke 23:43 records it: "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Now that is something to remember! What better news than that Jesus, the Savior of the world, remembers us and knows us by name?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you remembered the nameless thief on the cross beside you. Assure us that we are constantly on your mind and that we, too, will meet you in paradise. Then, help us remember the importance of sharing how you remember us with all those around us. Amen.