remember

By Diana Rose (WITHIN Devotional Writer)And they remembered His words,” -Luke 24:8 ​

We will always remember 2020. The pandemic, the fires, the school closures and distance learning, the headlines and the heartaches. Every single one of us has been profoundly affected by the events of this year. How do we move forward and recover? 

Everyone everywhere is adjusting, doing what they can in their personal microcosm to establish a new normal . Our current reality looks nothing like it did prior to March, so where do we start? Michael Jackson said it best, start “with the man in the mirror.” 

2020 may be the setting I find myself living in but I am not my circumstances. Grief, anger, and fear may be the initial response of my heart but I am not my emotions. The media, the government and my peers may occasionally attract my attention but I am not defined by the world. 

As a child of God I am liberated by Christ to find my hope, my peace, and my identity in Him. Jesus gave His perfect, sinless life to redeem my broken and dying soul. Out of His abundant grace He calls me to continually remember Him, His good works, and His precious promises. 

In every circumstance, through every emotion, in every relationship, and through every season I must first remember God, remember what He has done, and remind myself of what He has promised to do. Secondly, I must remember who I am in Christ. 

 When I have an identity crisis, I remember: 
“and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” -1 Corinthians 11:24 

When I am alone, I remember: 
“Remember these things, O Jacob, (insert your name) 
And Israel, for you are My servant; 
I have formed you, you are My servant, 
O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me.” -Isaiah 44:21 
When I am exhausted, I remember: 
“When I remember You on my bed, 
I meditate on You in the night watches,
For You have been my help, 
And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. 
My soul clings to You; 
Your right hand upholds me.” -Psalm 63: 6-8 

When I am afraid, I remember: 
“When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.”” -Nehemiah 4:14 

When I am grieved, I remember: 
“This I recall to my mind, 
Therefore I have hope. 
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, 
For His compassions never fail. 
They are new every morning; 
Great is Your faithfulness. 
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, 
“Therefore I have hope in Him.” -Lamentations 3:21-24 

When I am depressed, I remember: 
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? 
And why have you become disturbed within me? 
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him 
For the help of His presence. 
O my God, my soul is in despair within me; 
Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan 
And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.” Psalm 42:5-6 

When I am tempted, I remember: 
“Remember Lot's wife.” -Luke 17:32 
“O Lord, I remember Your name in the night, 
And keep Your law.” Psalm 119:55 

When I sin, I remember: 
“Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!” Psalm 25:7 

When I am tested, I remember:
“And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.” -Deuteronomy 8:2 

When I am weak in faith, I remember: 
“Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,” Isaiah 46:9 

“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” -Hebrews 13:7 

Prayer: Lord help me to remember all the great things you have done, and please forgive me for the times I forget your lovingkindness and faithfulness. Lord keep me in your word that I would be filled with remembrance of you and your great and precious promises. In Jesus name amen. 
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The weekly devotionals seek to encourage you to dig deeper into Scripture as you take the time to daily read, meditate, and internalize the verses in the devotional, along with the passages provided below to give greater context. Take the time to read them throughout the week (repetition is important) and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grasp what God is showing you about Himself, about you, and how to live in light of these truths. 

Passages to read/memorize/meditate:
1 Corinthians 11:24 
Hebrews 13:7 
Isaiah 46:9 
Deuteronomy 8:2 
Psalm 25:7 
Psalm 119:55 
Luke 17:32 
Psalm 42:5-6 
Lamentations 3:21-24 
Nehemiah 4:14 
Psalm 63: 6-8 
Isaiah 44:21 
Questions to Reflect on:
1. Under which circumstances are you more prone to forget what the Bible calls you to remember? 
2. How will remembering God and what He has done for you bless you today?