A major aspect of human life involves memory. You may fondly reminisce over your childhood, intentionally recall a friend’s birthday, or suddenly remember you have an appointment. To remember is to revisit.
While recollection is often contrasted to forgetfulness, it does not always imply or require it. That is, what is remembered has not always been forgotten—memories tucked away, people passed on, holidays annually celebrated. My mind understands God’s remembrance in a similar way: continual, voluntary awareness.
God remembers His people, His promises, and His plans. He remembers not because it has somehow slipped His mind or gotten overlooked … but because His heart is set upon it.
But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.” – Isaiah 49:14-16
God remembered His people even in slavery and rebellion.
“God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” – Exodus 2:24
“Yet the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah, for the sake of David His servant, since He promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever.” – 2 Kings 8:19
God treasures His people not only collectively, but intimately and individually. He remembered Noah when He flooded the earth (Genesis 8:1), Abraham when his nephew was in danger (Genesis 19:29), Rachel when she was barren (Genesis 30:22), and Hannah when she pleaded for a son (1 Samuel 1:19).
God upholds His love, favor, and restoration, despite humanity’s sinful forgetfulness, hopelessness, and carelessness.
“He has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.” – Psalm 98:3
“He remembers His covenant forever, the word that He commanded, for a thousand generations.” – Psalm 105:8
“The Lord is gracious and merciful … He remembers His covenant forever.” – Psalm 111:4-5
God is most familiar, and most gracious, with man’s condition. As Psalm 103:14 says, “He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
From beginning to end, God has never forgotten the finest detail. “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world … He created man in His own image … [He made known] the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His servants the things that must soon take place” (Ephesians 1:4, Genesis 1:27, Revelation 1:1).
Without a doubt, He knows … and He remembers.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Abby
