Precious Memories (Part 2)

By David Faust

Confusion and memory loss are serious concerns for many older adults. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over seven million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s and by 2050, this number will rise to nearly 13 million. Among those age 65 and older, about one person out of every nine has Alzheimer’s, and by 2050, the long-term financial costs of caring for those with dementia will reach a staggering $1 trillion.  

‘Remember Me’ 

If someone you love struggles with memory issues, I encourage you to consider a short prayer found in Scripture. This two-word request implores the Lord, “Remember me.”  

Nehemiah repeated this prayer several times while he led the Israelites to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and renew their faith in God. By saying “Remember me,” Nehemiah wasn’t worried that God would forget him; he was affirming his reliance on God’s faithfulness. Four times in Nehemiah’s book, he asked the Lord to remember him; and two times, he asked the Lord to remember his enemies. Here are his four “Remember me” prayers.  

1. He prayed when faced with injustice. When powerful individuals abused their power and took advantage of the poor, Nehemiah confronted them boldly and prayed, “Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people” (Nehemiah 5:19). 

2. He prayed when dealing with leadership challenges. Nehemiah rebuked those who neglected God’s house and misappropriated funds and supplies. He prayed, “Remember me for this, my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services” (Nehemiah 13:14). 

3. He prayed when the covenant people were sinning against the Lord. Nehemiah corrected those who were disregarding God’s Sabbath laws, and prayed, “Remember me for this also, my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love” (Nehemiah 13:22).  

4. Nehemiah closed his book (and his ministry) by praying, “Remember me with favor, my God” (Nehemiah 13:31). 

Nehemiah not only asked God to remember him. Twice, he asked God to remember his enemies and deal justly with them. When two outspoken critics opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall, Nehemiah proceeded with the project anyway, and he prayed, “Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done” (Nehemiah 6:14). And when leaders dishonored God’s Law, he prayed, “Remember them, my God, because they defiled the priestly office and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites” (Nehemiah 13:29). 

What the Lord Forgets 

If you worry that your memory will fail in the future, it’s comforting to realize God is omniscient (all-knowing). His wisdom never fades, nor will he ever forget his people. God fulfills all his promises and honors all his covenants. He has an infallible memory of the past, a thorough awareness of the present, and a clear vision of the future. The most precious memories of all reside in the mind of God.  

Messiah Jesus ushered in a new covenant, and the Lord promised, “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:31-32). Maybe that’s why many Christians remember Scripture verses and worship songs long after they have forgotten other information. The Word remains imbedded in our souls and written on our hearts even when our minds don’t function as well as they did in the past. 

Jeremiah’s prophecy continued, “I will be their God, and they will be my people” (v. 33). In every stage of life, even when our memories fade, the Lord is our God. There is no term limit on his faithfulness.  

But there is one thing the Lord forgets. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (v. 34). God chooses to forgive and forget our sin. John wrote, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2).  

Our gracious Father will never forget us, but he is willing to forgive us. That’s something I hope we never forget. 

David Faust serves as contributing editor of Christian Standard and senior associate minister with East 91^st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Unquenchable Faith.