INTRODUCTION
God remembers His sheep in sanctification (progressive spiritual growth) not just salvation. Human memory battles with the remains of indwelling sin. We forget what we should remember and we remember what we should forget. Nevertheless, God uses our imperfect memory in the sanctification process. Christ did not die and rise for us in order to neglect us. Rather He saved us and supplies all we need for godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
God abides in us. The Spirit is with us forever. He aides our memory by teaching us truth and by helping us to recall truth (John 14:16-17). The Spirit helps the disciples of Christ.
John Owen said that the Holy Spirit's work is "to bring the promises of Christ to our minds and hearts." It is the Holy Spirit's work in aiding our memory that underpins all the other aides God supplies for memory.
THE TOOL OF CONSCIENCE
The conscience is the awareness of right and wrong. Conscience functions in prevention and confession of sin. It warns of sin and throbs when you sin. The conscience is not perfect. It needs to be shaped and transformed by God's Word. If it's not shaped by God's Word, it can accuse or excuse improperly.
THE TOOL OF PRAYER
Prayer and the Spirit of God are closely connected. It is the Spirit that helps us in our weakness as He intercedes for us when we do not know how or what to pray (Romans 8:26-27). Prayer is often the first step of a wayward believer back to right remembrance of what God has said.
(1). To Orient - You must remember to pray. You must remember to depend on the God who listens. From the belly of the fish, Jonah "remembered the Lord" and prayed to Him (Jonah 2:7). Prayer orients us to God.
(2). To Appeal - Prayer is not just an act of remembrance. It is an appeal to God's remembrance. David prayed for God to remember His compassion and lovingkindness (Psalm 25:6-7). In the same passage David prayed for God to not remember his sins.
(3). To Approach - Prayer inspires boldness when the believer remembers God (1 John 5:14-15). We can have confidence that God will answer our prayers according to His will. How do we know His will? We remember what He's said in His Word. In prayer we remember to remind God to do what He said He would do.
(4). To Outlast - Prayer spans generations. It is spoken in time but extends to eternity where God remembers. They outlast us. Jesus prayed for us 2000 years ago (John 17).
THE TOOL OF WRITTEN RECORDS
Written records are a common tool of remembrance in the ancient world. Plato believed that written records would weaken the memory but God sees the written word and records as beneficial for us. In Exodus 17 we see a book of remembrance.
(1). Importance of Written Records - Each future king of Israel was to write down his own copy of the Law of God in the presence of a priest. In Psalm 102:18 the faithfulness of God was written down for future generations. We have the treasure of God's Word because of written records.
(2). Transformation Through Written Records - Hilkiah the high priest found the book of the Law in the house of the Lord. It was read to Josiah and Josiah tore his clothes in repentance (2 Kings 22:8-13). Then it was read to the entire nation. Written remembrance can affect future generations. The written record of the gospel has done the same for us (2 Peter 1:19-21).
(3). Techniques In Written Records: Poetry - Rhyme and rhythm are used to help our memories. Acrostics are used. Chiastic structures and imagery are used. Psalm 119 has 22 stanzas; each corresponding to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
(4). Techniques In Written Records: Metaphors - Metaphors create pictures and images in our mind. Our minds think in images not words. These images help us understand the abstract. God is our rock, fortress, high tower, father, shepherd, etc. Metaphors unlock complexities so we can remember better.
(5). Techniques In Written Records: Parables And Storytelling - They point to truth as we identify with the story and characters.
(6). Techniques In Written Records: Repetition - Our minds need reminders in order to remember. Repetition says, "Stop and don't forget this!" Psalm 136 refers to God's lovingkindness over and over and over and over and over.
THE TOOL OF CREATION
Creation itself should constantly bring to memory God's existence, power and glory (Psalm 19:1). There should never be a day that we do not think about God. His artwork is everywhere. Creation should direct your mind and memory to worship and glorify God.
(1). To Recognize Smallness - The vastness of creation reminds us of how small we are and how big God (Psalm 8:3). Why should He be mindful of the tiny specs that we are in this vast universe. Yet He is!
(2). To Recognize Largeness - The Lord pointed to the birds to point to God's provision. There are an estimated 400 billion birds on the earth and God tends to them all. Because we are made in God's image are we not worth more (Psalm 104: 16-17; Matthew 6:25-27)? God is well-capable of caring for all of His creation, especially us.
(3). The Blocking Of Creation's Cues - Mankind has a way of using science to try and explain away a Creator. The more that is discovered through scientific discovery, the more that it is assumed that a Creator is not necessary. But it doesn't logically follow that because you understand how something works, that a Creator is not necessary. Scientists still have yet to create a single cell from nothing.
Human achievement and media have a way of hindering our minds from looking at creation and remembering God. The advancements that promote our well-being like heating and air-condition often keep us indoors. The same is true for entertainment. We stare at screens instead of the sky or mountains. None of these things are bad, but they can hinder our memories and ability to recall God's greatness if we allow them to dominate our lives.
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