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Don't forget to remember
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 (ESV)
Do you remember the first concert you went to? Do you remember your 3rd grade teacher’s name? Your email password? Do you remember what you had for dinner last night? The name of the person you met five minutes ago? While I like to think I have a decent memory, I’ve proven otherwise when I walk into a room forgetting why I entered it, when I pick up my phone forgetting what I meant to search, and when I’m standing in the grocery aisle forgetting what items we need. Through the years, I’ve developed nifty tools to help me recall important things. I use the notes app, alarms, dry erase boards, email drafts to future me, saying things out loud, purposefully leaving items out on the counter, etc. Our brains are limited and it’s easy to forget! Remembering is easier said than done.
In the Bible, remember is repeatedly used (over 140x) to communicate: don’t forget what the LORD has done for us! If the Israelites in the wilderness could so quickly forget that God had delivered them from slavery across a parted Red Sea, then we certainly have the capacity to forget the good things God has done for us from time to time. God leaves us with “nifty tools” or tangible ways to ensure we don’t forget. In the Old Testament, God tells them to write His words and bind them to their bodies, gates, and doorposts. He tells them to talk about His words constantly to each other and to their children. He tells them to set up memorials like stones or trees or altars. He implements calendar structures of Sabbath to remind them to rest. In the New Testament, Jesus implements the action of taking communion to remind us of the cross. We are told to pray constantly and to meet together in fellowship often. And best of all, the Spirit of God dwells inside us to help us remember. The Spirit brings to our remembrance the words of God by means of conviction and comfort. We can trust God to help us remember what matters most: what He has done for us.
God, thank you for the gift of your indwelling Spirit who reminds me of what I am so quick to forget. With your Spirit’s help, please guide me to steward my limited mind well and seek ways to remember what you have done for me.
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