In Remembrance of Me

Memories are useful. In times of gladness or peace, they can encourage or warn, depending on the circumstance. As we look back over our lives, we consider what has gone before to inform us concerning the present and to plan for the future. Some memories are painful and cause distress when revived, yet even these are useful as we work through them. They are a good gift of God to aid us. They establish patterns of faithfulness for how the Lord had acted in times of need and indicate a certain future. This is especially needful in the time of adversity or affliction. Under the stress of the situation, we become myopic and lose confidence in our Lord’s promises and deeds, wondering whether God was willfully negligent or forgetful, losing sight that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the God of Jesus, Paul, and Peter, and is the Lord God Almighty over heaven and earth today.

Individual adversity is especially difficult because we assume that none other has faced the same level of misery. We feel isolated and tend to assume that something, some fault of ours, has invited the hardship, therefore God will not give us His time or attention. Whether or not we may have had a hand in bringing about a situation, or are simply suffering for doing good, as followers of the one true God, we are neither abandoned nor neglected. The Lord still cares for His children.

At one point, Asaph experienced a hardship of which we have no details giving us Psalm 77. Being distraught, he sought the Lord with outstretched arms, seeking His intervention.

I remembered God and was glad;
I complained, and my spirit became discouraged. (Ps 76:4 LXX [Ps 77:3])

Notice the contrast brought to light in the Septuagint (LXX): complaint brought discouragement, but remembering God brought gladness. Here is the attitude that overcomes. Asaph was distraught in beseeching his Lord and refused to be comforted, but then he turned his attention away from his immediate circumstance:

I thought of the days of old,
And I remembered the eternal years; and I meditated. (Ps 77:5)

Asaph wrestled within himself that God might cast him off or cut off His mercy—basically wallow in the despair of the situation—but instead saw it in light of eternity and was able to view it in proper perspective: more as a momentary, light affliction (2 Cor 4:17).

I said, “Now I am beginning to see;
This change is by the right hand of the Most High.” (Ps 76:11 [Ps 77:10])

Again the LXX gives clarity: when Asaph turns his attention on the Lord, he can see His hand in the situation and can rest in Him. He remembers the Lord’s works and wonders, deeds and ways, habitation in the midst of His people, power, and redeeming work (77:11–20).

As stated above, memories are good gifts, and as noted with the example of Asaph, they need not be experienced firsthand. The psalmist had no direct dealings with the Exodus and subsequent wanderings, yet they were definite, true events directed by the Lord on which he could base his hope and trust. Christians have this same certainty in what God has accomplished through His marvelous work. There is a popular Christian song currently playing that alludes to the work of the Lord in His people:

“Famous For (I Believe)” by Tauren Wells

Make way through the waters

Walk me through the fire

Do what You are famous for

What You are famous for

Shut the mouths of lions

Bring dry bones to life and

Do what You are famous for

What You are famous for

I believe in You, God

I believe in You

I appreciate the songwriter desiring for God to do what He is famous for, but he chose the wrong mighty works. Better would have focused on the singular mighty work of redemption and sins forgiven. Better to speak of being baptized into Christ. Better to speak of receiving His body and blood in the bread and cup. What better than to obey our Lord’s command, “Do this in remembrance of Me”? These are the wonders and works that God is most famous for. Let us remember.