(From our church-wide devotion book at Pinedale Christian Church, "You 2.0”)

Readers Digest once printed a story by P.G. Woodhouse about a member of the British Parliament. One day, this gentleman was standing in the lobby of the House when a distinguished-looking older gentleman approached him and begged for a moment of his time. The gentleman explained how, by hard work and thrift, he had amassed a great fortune. Now, his relatives had robbed him of it and, not content with that, had placed him in a mental home. This was his day out. “I have put the facts down in this document,” he concluded. “Study it and communicate with me at your leisure. Thank you, sir, thank you. Good day.” Much moved by the man’s exquisite courtesy, the Member of Parliament took the paper, shook hands, promised that he would do everything in his power, and turned to go back to the debate. As he did so, he received a kick in the seat of the pants that nearly sent his spine shooting through his hat. “Don’t forget!” said the old gentleman.

You know, sometimes we need a kick in the seat of the pants to help us remember things that we would otherwise forget. I admit when it comes to my life, my past, I prefer to lean the other direction. I’d rather forget the wrong choices I made, the bad attitudes I displayed, especially my shameful actions.There is a time and place for letting go.

Paul said as much in Philippians3:13-14:“…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

As Paul so eloquently points out, there are some things worth forgetting, but there are some things we need to be sure we never forget: God’s nature, character, compassion, and love for us! There is a simple reason God tells us to be students of His Word. In His Word, we discover the meaning of life. We discover our role in this life. We’re also introduced to the Godhead – Father, Son, Holy Spirit – along with how He sees us.

The Psalmist wrote: “Your word, O Lord, will last forever; it is eternal in heaven. Your faithfulness endures through all the ages; you have set the earth in place, and it remains. All things remain to this day because of your command, because they are all your servants.” (Psalm 119:89-91) Isaiah added: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” (Isaiah 40:8) Thus, when we become students of God’s Word, we equip ourselves to remember the things we need to remember: 

• We remember that God’s ways are higher than our ways (Psalm 19:7-14) 
• We remember that God is the source of real strength (Isaiah 40:28-31) 
• We remember that God is the source of lasting courage (Joshua 1:7-9; Psalm 56:3-4) 

It was through His Word that I found the strength to overcome what I consider to be the darkest period of my life. During my divorce, I experienced God in a brand new way. During that season, I committed myself to meditation, memorization, and study of Scripture. I learned that He alone was able to sustain me when my life hit rock bottom. He not only knew what I was facing. He stepped into my troubles with me.

On the one hand, that is a season of life I wish I could forget. On the other hand, I hope I never do. When I remember the way God sustained me during that time, it increases my faith for the future. If God could carry me through that, He can carry me through anything I ever face.

Where have you experienced God’s faithfulness in your life? Choose Not to Forget! Intentionally remind yourself. God is reaching out to you, calling you to remember His Love, His Guidance, His Comfort, His Counsel, His Warning, His Discipline. Remember your experience, and remember His Word that teaches exactly who He is. 

“Oh, and one very important event to keep ever before you is that Christ will soon return. So when you feel discouraged, or your heart aches, remember that Christ has come, and one day He will come again. When He does, He will finally set everything right in this dark, broken world”
(1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)