For Christian Sisters

The Many Faces of Remembering

22 September 2019 AnneT Blog, Remembrance An ordered list of links for each blog series is on the Archive page. (0)

Remembrance and its opposite - Twelfth and final in a series

A single verse found twice in Scripture summarizes what we should recall about the Lord: Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth. (1 Ch 16:12; Ps 105:5)

As we do, when our spirits are low we will rise up with wings as eagles (Is 40:31) and keep the faith, sustained by our memories of God's mighty acts and wonderful words.

Much more could be stated and explicated about what Christians should remember about the Lord, but perhaps we are at a stopping point; we can rest here knowing he has promised never to leave or forsake us (Heb 13:5), and he has engraved us on the palms of his hands so how could he forget us? (Is 49:16) He who cannot lie promised us eternal life even before the world began (Tit 1:2), and in Christ all of God's promises are yea and amen. (2 Cor 1:20)

If you are presently suffering in a lengthy trial, remember this: God does not always plow to sow; a joyous time of reaping a harvest is coming for the faithful doer. (Is 28:24)

For those in Christ, there is no opposite to being remembered. You will be fully disciplined, tested, taught, guided, helped, strengthened and perfected.

For the rebellious, there is no opposite to being remembered, but remembrance is severe judgment. God keeps records. (Mal 3:16-18; Rev 20:11-13)

For man, the opposite of remembering God's ways and wonders is anxiety, sorrow, darkness and confusion, but remembrance brings peace, gladness, hope and praise.

I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. (Psa 77:11)

Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. (Is 26:8)

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. (Ps 143:5)

Remembering God's Words

09 September 2019 AnneT Blog, Remembrance An ordered list of links for each blog series is on the Archive page. (0)

Remembrance and its opposite - Eleventh in a series

In the Bible we are told to REMEMBER God's words (Deut 6:8; Deut 11:18). Memorization or frequent reading are two ways to do that.

We are warned against adding to or subtracting from them (Deut 4:2; Deut 12:32; Rev 22:18, 19). Anyone who faithfully reads God's words and obeys them will have a good life no matter what his or her circumstances.

If someone is reading this post, murmuring, I have tried to read the Bible, but it makes no sense to me; I just can't understand it! —then get on your knees and cry out to God for help to read and to understand the Bible! You need the Bible to live; otherwise you will starve to death. (Mat 4:4)

Looking back, I have changed churches from time to time. If the church I was in did not lift up God's Word, after a time, I moved on. I recall a church where the preaching was inspired and I learned so much about the Bible. I felt amazed and encouraged after each sermon. But that pastor retired, others were hired, and over time, the Word was no longer the focus of the worship service. I could look around on Sundays and see that the sheep were hungry and tired. As we sat in the service, we felt cold and forlorn in our ruined pasture.

What is this power of God's Word to satisfy? How are we filled and made whole by it? Why is it described as "alive" by the author of Hebrews? (Heb 4:12) Or, do you not consider it to be upbuilding and dynamic? But if it is not, why do communist nations forbid its presence? Why are those who smuggle it in or share it in those nations killed or jailed? What sort of threat does it pose to those in control?

It is God's Word! It trumps every other power on earth or in the heavens. It gives truth, instruction, revival, reason, help, comfort, inspiration, guidance, courage and hope. It tells what has been and what will be; it is unbreakable, authoritative, strengthening, eternal, enlivening, and it has power to free us from enslaving habits, thoughts, emotions, moods and memories.

In my 20s I came across five reasons why we need the Bible (though I cannot tell you where I found this list):

Nature's revelation is not enough… A supernatural revelation is needed to show:

  1. The character of God.
    We can glean some insights about God's power and moral essence from his creation, but it takes the fulness of actual communication to reveal his holiness, justice, mercy and love.
  2. The origin of man.
    The confusion of ancient and modern theories proves the need for man to know his lofty origin.
  3. The origin of evil and death.
    Man needs to understand why he is sinful and why evil and death abound.
  4. Man's purpose.
    Man needs to understand why he was created and the provisions for his redemption.
  5. Man's destiny.
    Man needs to know what lies beyond death.

If we will not remember God's words, we should fear because neither good intentions nor claims of ignorance will excuse us. (Lev 5:15, 17) Likewise in society, have you run a stop sign? You did not see it, or perhaps were not aware it required you to stop? If apprehended, you will nevertheless be fined.

Have you trespassed God's word? You have been apprehended. Run to Christ for mercy.

Awe in Remembrance

02 September 2019 AnneT Blog, Remembrance An ordered list of links for each blog series is on the Archive page. (0)

Remembrance and its opposite - Tenth in a series

When God studies our hearts to find out if we appreciate his care and help, he will look first to see whether we love Jesus Christ.

Reflecting upon the providential works of the Lord, Psalm 22 comes to mind. Here, Israel's King David prophesies Christ's crucifixion, a thousand years before the event:

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. (Ps 22:15-18)

The vision is exact: specific details are foreseen, later to be corroborated in the Gospel accounts.

How does the Spirit impart the future to a human mind? Is time an illusion? How does it happen that evil men providentially crucified God's only begotten son to make him both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36)? Surely God is in control of all events and all people, a comforting thought, though jarring.

Which is the more jarring thought: That Christ chose to be cruelly crucified, sacrificing his life so that we might be reconciled to the Father; or that God the Father demanded capital punishment for the sin of man, designing that nothing but the death of his only son could render that justice; or that we, the sheep of his pasture, are provided not only salvation and eternal life, but also daily help for every need by our loving God and Creator?

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