Proverbs 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.
Don’t you remember? These words can bring fear to an elderly person’s mind. My good friend and book-publisher Clay has expressed the pain of having to watch his mother navigate the confusing maze of trying to recall memories. She had dementia, but now, by God’s grace, she was released from her mental prison and went home to be with her Lord. What clarity must have entered her mind within milliseconds of seeing her Lord’s redemptive eye expressing pure love into her eternal-soul. No longer having to worry about remembering anything because her perfect mind in Christ is now fully engaged with the glory of our God’s eternity.
As we watch our elderly generation deal with the numerous effects of old age, we can be assured that God will not forget His covenant with those who love Him. Different types of mental illnesses can affect our memory, which can cause us to forget our relationship with our God. However, we can count on the Lord to remember our covenant for us. We can lay down in peace and trust that Jesus has our eternal lives in His hands. Prov. 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.
The enemy of our soul would have us remember the terrible things that have happened to us and the terrible things we caused to happen. Don’t you remember when you ripped the family apart with your selfish choices? Don’t you remember how you cheated on your spouse? Don’t you remember how you abandoned your children when they most needed you? Satan is the accuser of all people on this earth. That is what he viciously does all day long. Rev. 12:10b For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
What an opposite blessing for those who are in Christ. We have a solid Holy Spirit-filled assurance working within our hearts. Where the enemy of our soul accuses us day and night, the Lord continually prays for us day and night. Jesus reminds us that all our sins have been forgiven and are under His sanctified blood and redemptive work at the cross. Heb. 7:25 Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. Don’t you remember how much God loves you? Don’t you remember how much God has done to redeem your life from destruction?
When God says to us, “Don’t you remember?” It is not to bring judgment upon us, but rather to bring us into a place of peace, blessing, and opportunity to express gratitude to God for being so good. The Lord invites us to remember the things He has done for us, and if we cannot recall, then the Lord will fill us in. Isa. 1:18a Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD. Once we are in the Lord’s presence and our hearts and minds are filled with the memory of all His goodness we have experienced, we can declare His wonderful deeds. Psalm 77:11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
Don’t you remember? We no longer have to fear that sentence as we age. God will keep us and bring us through to our place in His kingdom. He has always been in charge and will always be in charge of our salvation. It was His plan from the beginning and will be His plan to complete. All we have to do is to accept Jesus as Lord, and let Him write our story. Heb. 12:2a Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. There is so much amazing grace for us. Amen and amen!
Good word
Blessings Clay.. May God's healing peace be upon your whole family.
True words that fill my spirit with joy Norm. Thank you. I'm sharing this in hopes that others who can be helped and comforted by your blog will be blessed.