Remember!
“… I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day…” (1 Tim. 1:3)
I once heard an elderly friend of mine say, “My forgettery works better than my memory.” It made me laugh, but truthfully, the older I get, the more I value being able to remember things, especially when I’ve forgotten where I placed something like my glasses or car keys. And I find myself making more notes these days to help me not to forget important things, especially when traveling, as I often do. I once forgot and left a suitcase while going through airport security, and I had to go back to find it. Good thing it was still there! And now I use AirTags just in case.
Different kinds of memory
Memory is generally categorized into three types: sensory memory, short-term memory (or working memory), and long-term memory. Sensory memory holds information for a very brief period, while short-term memory can hold a limited amount of information for a short duration. Long-term memory can store vast amounts of information for extended periods, sometimes even a lifetime. And the Bible has a lot to say about what God wants us to remember and why we should.
What to remember
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35 ESV)
Remember others and thank God for them
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,” (Phil 1:3)
Remember prisoners and those who are ill-treated
“Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.” (Heb. 13:3)
Remember your creator in the days of your youth
“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them…” (Eccles. 12:1 ESV)
Remember your Christian leaders
“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” (Heb. 13:7)
Remember the poor
“They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.” (Gal. 2:10)
Remember Jesus with communion
“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19 ESV)
“In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Cor. 11:25 ESV)
Good news, God will help you 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)
Therefore
“And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you…” (Deut. 8:2 ESV)
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.” (Psalm. 77:11 ESV)
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.” (Psalm 143:5 ESV)
Quotes
“Put your mind on the gospel. And remember - there's one God for all.” - Mahalia Jackson
“Receiving, reading, researching, remembering, and reflecting on the Word of God are all useless if we fail to put what we learn into practice.” - Rick Warren