Memory

I still have a pretty good memory even though I’m over 50 years old. There are times it seems to be “slipping gears” when I can’t remember someone’s name whom I’ve known for years. Some things I’d like to forget, I actually still remember. I remember some of the biggest mistakes of my life. I remember some of the hurtful things I’ve said to people. I remember things I’ve done that the Lord only knows, but I’m still embarrassed and humiliated to think about.

King Saul consulted Samuel because the Lord had left him. He was fearful of facing the Philistine army. He reached out to Samuel but didn’t like the news he received. Check this out….

¹⁶ But Samuel replied, “Why ask me, since the Lord has left you and has become your enemy? ¹⁷ The Lord has done just as he said he would. He has torn the kingdom from you and given it to your rival, David. ¹⁸ The Lord has done this to you today because you refused to carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites. ¹⁹ What’s more, the Lord will hand you and the army of Israel over to the Philistines tomorrow, and you and your sons will be here with me. The Lord will bring down the entire army of Israel in defeat.” (1 Samuel 28:16-19 NLT)

The Lord has a good memory. I’m thankful that He chooses to forget the sins from my past even though I still remember lots of them.  I’m thankful that because of my relationship with the Son of God, my sins are removed. I’m thankful that when the Lord looks at me, He sees His Son living in me.  I was reminded of a passage from Psalms that David would write later. Check this out….

¹⁰ He does not punish us for all our sins;
    he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
¹¹ For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
    is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
¹² He has removed our sins as far from us
    as the east is from the west.
¹³ The Lord is like a father to his children,
    tender and compassionate to those who fear him. (Psalm 103:10-13 NLT)

I need the Lord to help me “dull” my memory like He does. I remember the mistakes of my kids for too long and it’s hard not to remind them. I remember the mistakes of others too well for too long. I need to use forgiveness to wipe my memory just like the Lord does. I’m so thankful to have my sins removed. I need to let my gratitude for the Lord’s forgiveness push out the bad memories of my rebellion.

Pressing On!

Dwayne