Martin Luther is often quoted as the one who said, “We need to hear the Gospel every day, because we forget it every day.” Although I can’t verify Luther was the one who said it, we can all agree it’s true. In a similar vein, author and theologian Henri Nouwen said, “One of the great tragedies of our life is that we keep forgetting who we are.”
Human beings are prone to forget what is true and we do so at our own peril. When life is difficult, it’s tempting to direct our thoughts to our troubling circumstances, and the lies the world steadily deals us. Perhaps that’s why the book in the book of Psalms alone, there are at least 46 references in varying contexts to the concept of remembering. Simply put, in this context, “to remember” is to remind ourselves what is true. It’s a simple practice that redirects our thoughts back to God and builds faith. It’s especially important in times of uncertainty.
In Psalm 77, we find Asaph so distraught by the fall of Jerusalem that is he in bed unable to sleep. When Jerusalem fell, many Jews died, and others were taken captive to Babylon. It’s likely that Asaph was left to minister to the suffering remnant (Jer 30-40). But Asaph was suffering too. As he lay in bed unable to sleep, he was attempting to come to terms with the terrible things that had taken place, and he was questioning if God would ever show His favor again. Asaph began by praying (Psa 77:1-2) and then transitioned to remembering (Psa 3-6). Asaph recalled the years when Israel had enjoyed God’s blessing, and he pondered the ways God had worked on their behalf.
A time comes during our suffering when we will be forced to decide on whether we will plunge into self-pity or if we will remind ourselves of the reality of God’s goodness. Asaph made a conscious decision to remind himself of what is true. Whether or not we realize it, we all get to choose what we dwell on. Asaph said:
“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.” (Psa 77:11-12 emphasis mine).
As the Psalm unfolds, a fascinating thing happens. The pronouns change from “I” to “You” as Aspah redirects his focus from himself to God. The same will be true for us. As we remember what is true about God and ponder what He has already done for us, we redirect our gaze from our hopeless circumstances and onto God.
Practically speaking, what will this look like? Obviously, the specifics of what you need to remember varies with particular circumstances but should be rooted in Scripture. Also, it’s good to recall all the ways God has come through for you in the past. As an example, I’ll give you a list of a few things I’m continuing to remind myself of in this season of my life.
- I am strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim 2:1).
- The Holy Spirit equips me to do difficult things (2 Tim 1:7).
- The word of God is living and active in me (Heb 4:12).
- God will never leave me or forsake me (Heb 13:5b).
- God will bring good from the most difficult circumstances in my life (Rom 8:28).
- I can confidently have faith in future grace. If God loved me enough to send Jesus on my behalf, He will provide everything I need to live a godly life (Rom 8:32).
I’ll leave you with a quote from Henri Nouwen, “Perhaps nothing helps us make the movement from our little selves to a larger world than remembering God in gratitude. Such a perspective puts God in view in all of life, not just in the moments we set aside for worship or spiritual disciplines. Not just in the moments when life seems easy.”
