And Do Not Let Your Feeling Say Otherwise
God remembered us. There are many examples of much-needed requests to be remembered by many characters of the Old Testament. Those prayers were centred on one’s special attempt to get God’s attention. In those moments of extreme anxiety, the words “Remember me” were used.
Joseph
There is Joseph son of Jacob/Israel who requested to be remembered by the butler:
“But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house,” Genesis 40:14.
Joseph pleads with the butler to remember him when he would be re-established as Pharaoh's servant. Yet, the chief butler did not remember Joseph but had forgotten him, (verse 23). Two years went by before the butler remembered Joseph. How do you think Joseph felt about not being remembered? Joseph was sold by his brothers, and then taken to Egypt as a slave; the Egyptian master’s wife accused Joseph of sexual assault. Joseph desperately wanted to get out of prison, (verse 15). How would you have felt if that were to happen to you... anger comes to mind, isn't it? God remembered Joseph. God had Joseph's destiny planned. God has planned yours also.
Samson
Then, there is Samson. He desperately cried out to be re-established by God.
“Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!” Judges 16:28.
Samson's pride brought him to despair. Blinded and chained, he was brought up to the Philistine temple as a trophy to their gods. He had forgotten that his strength was coming from God, not his hair. Samson did not fulfill God's calling as a judge for His people. "Remember me", Samson cried out. This kind of prayer is indicative of a soul in need. God answered Samson's prayer and gave him the strength to destroy the Philistine temple and kill those gathered inside worshiping idols. Some of us have experienced despaired situations in life. We realized that our selfish ambitions kept us from pursuing God’s will for us which is to bear fruit, (Rom 7:4). It is not too late to be re-established; go back to Him. God remembered us. God never left you nor forsaken you, (Heb 13:5, 1 Jn 2:17). Let me remind you that I teach what I needed to learn.
Hannah
Then there is Hannah, the wife of a polygamist. Peninnah, the other wife bore several children but Hannah was barren, (1 Sam 1:2). Peninnah belittled Hannah, (v. 7).
“And she (Hannah) was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head,” 1 Samuel 1:10-11.
Remember me, was a prayer she implored with desperation and of a broken spirit. God answered her request and gave her a son she named Samuel and more children after. Have you not experienced animosity from someone toward you in your life? No matter what you do to please, he/she puts you down. You never wronged them, yet they keep offending you. Do not keep this bitterness in your heart. Tell God what would make you happy.
Nehemiah
Nehemiah representing God’s people is another one who wanted to be remembered by God so that God would continue to bless the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s wall and the Temple, (Nehemiah 5:19, 13:14,22,31).
“Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people,” Nehemiah 5:19.
“Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services,” Nehemiah 13:14!
Ministers, pastors, and teachers who are God’s stewards, the example of Nehemiah is for you. You love God and want dearly to serve Him. You want to do more. I can assure you that God has not forgotten you. In due time He will answer your prayers.
Job
Then there is Job. In despair through physical pain and grief for his great losses looked at death for comfort. He asked God to take his life yet to remember him on the day of the resurrection:
“Oh, that You would hide me in the grave, That You would conceal me until Your wrath is past, That You would appoint me a set time, and remember me!” Job 14:13.
Are you suffering from an incurable disease? Is your health so bad, that you are restricted to bed and isolated from family and friends? Your body aches and pains, no one seems to know what to say to encourage you, and you desire death. God did not fail Job and remembered him. God has not forgotten you:
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you,” 1 Peter 5:6-7.
David
David also pleaded to be remembered:
“Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness sake, O Lord” Psalm 25:7.
Have you done something so bad that you believe that no one, not even God would ever forgive the wrong that you did? Think again. God desires only that you admit your sins and He will forgive you, (1 Jn 1:9).
Jeremiah
Then there is Jeremiah’s prayer,
“O Lord, You know; Remember me and visit me, And take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In Your enduring patience, do not take me away. Know that for Your sake I have suffered rebuke,” Jeremiah 15:15.
Christians, you who are being persecuted, even at the risk of losing your life, do not despair. Jesus visits you. He gives you the strength to endure. Your reward is great in the Kingdom of God, (Matthew 5:10).
The Criminal
Another important example took place at Jesus' crucifixion. A request using these words, ‘remember me’ was used. One of the criminals who was hung adjacent to Jesus, in humility asked Jesus to remember him.
“Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom,” Luke 23:42.
What a great and wonderful example of the simplicity of the gospel; believing that Jesus is Lord, (Rom 10:9). How great was the way Jesus responded? Jesus did not reply saying that He must first die and resurrect before He remembered him. No, He answered:
“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise,” verse 43.
The gospel is not complicated. It is a simple decision in faith, to believe and to put your trust in the Son of God whose name is Jesus, (Jn 3:16).
“Jesus died for your sins, and raised from the dead,” is the gospel. The only work you need to do to receive the gift of eternal life is to believe, (Jn 6:29). We are justified by faith, not from the deeds of the law, (Rom 3:28).
Cornelius
God never forget. In (Acts 10:31) Peter said,
“Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.”
God remembers everything, from eternity to eternity. He even writes everything in books, not for Him but for us, (Rev 20:12). It is proof that He takes great importance in everything we do and say. We need to remember that. As a father, I kept a treasure box to remember my children's crafts. They appreciate the memories. We can, therefore, go to God with confidence that He remembers us, and He is willing to listen to our plea.
While we pray, we want God to remember us. When we pray using those words, “Remember me, Lord,” it means, “Give attention to who I am in Your presence, Lord.” "I am one of many whom you Father has called to your Son Jesus, (Jn 6:37).”
“Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified,” Romans 8:30.
