Remember, or Not

Webster's dictionary lists the definition for the word remember as:


1 : to bring to mind or think of again

2 : to keep in mind for attention or consideration

3 : to retain in the memory

4 : to convey greetings from

5 : to record or commemorate


Now, I have to confess that I am not as good at any of these definitions as I have been in the past. There are times I walk into a room to do something, I stop and can't for the life of me remember why I even walked into the room in the first place. Sometimes I sit at the computer with the express purpose of looking something up on the internet and before my computer has booted up, I've forgotten what I wanted to research.

I'm not even as good at conveying greetings anymore. I love making greeting cards, but I confess I have three beautiful cards in there right now that I made for people for particular occasions --- you guessed it, then I forgot I had made them. I don't guess you can send a wedding card after their first anniversary, can you?

Most of us as we get older, or even younger folks who are just incredibly busy, can relate to not remembering. Sometimes it comes in handy. My husband and I were having a discussion the other night about a comment he had made (and yes, he clearly made the comment) and he said,
"I don't remember saying that." As if that meant the comment didn't exist in my memory now either. I say all that to point out that our memories are fragile and imperfect things. What we are sure we remember, isn't always true. What we think we won't forget, we most often do.

We should find comfort in the fact that is is not important what we remember. It is only important what God remembers. And also what He doesn't remember.

He remembers that He loves us. . . enough to give His only Son to die for our sins.

"He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. (Psalm 103:10,11)

He remembers that we are but dust... and that it is "He that hath made us".

"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust." (Psalms 103:13-14)

He remembers that we are precious to Him and a source of pleasure and joy to Him.

"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love, He will joy over thee with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)


He will not remember our sins once we have been redeemed by the blood of His Son.

"I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (Isaiah 43:25)

"And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. " (Hebrew 10:17)

Every time we have a moment of faulty memory, we should take the opportunity to thank Him that His memory is perfect, except where He chooses it not to be.

Hallelujah, what a Savior!