REMEMBER
It has often been stated that we don’t appreciate something (or someone) until we no longer have them (or it) with us. Having lost folks that were near and dear, I always assumed this to be a true saying. But as I contemplated “remember” in the writing of this article, it occurs to me that ‘loss of memory’ in our frail human bodies doesn’t quite follow that path. My reasoning is: If we truly “lose our memory” of those things which occur in this life, how could we lack appreciation for that which ‘once was’ which we can’t recall?
I’m aware of a number of situations in which folks have or can “lose their memory” (as we normally call it). Sometimes this happens as a result of an accident, injury or some ‘defect’ in our brain due to some other cause. This seems to be most frustrating to folks, especially when that “memory” or recall comes and goes. It seems as though dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease is much more prevalent now than in the past. One of the scariest things I can imagine is to not be able to recall or remember God’s Word. The second, is to lose all memory of spouse, children, or close family members. Of course, when we lose that which is our guide and comfort in this life, we become like a ship without a rudder.
Since the number twelve is considered a ‘perfect’ number, and symbolizes God's power and authority in the Bible, I don’t think the word “remember”, being found 148 times in 144 verses in the King James Bible is a coincidence. God, through the Spirit has ‘placed’ that word in His Word for a reason. Over the course of the usage in God’s Word, remember represents what God remembers, what God says He will not remember, Commandments for man to remember, and God’s Promises to man for man to remember and use for a guide in life so he can spend eternity with God.
It is also found in Luke 16:25 to one that had departed this life, so we could know that our ‘memory’ goes with us when we die. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. We never “lose our memory”, but sometimes can ‘fail to recall’ in this life.
Perhaps this was the thought of my wife’s father when he wrote a booklet entitled: “Memorials”. Below is an excerpt from that booklet.
Memorials
An Innate Possession
An innate possession of the human mind is memory. This is also true in the animal family, to a limited extent, however, the animal cannot decipher between the good and the evil and perform on that basis. There are many advantages to “memory”, and there are some disadvantages. There are some things worth remembering, memorabilia, while the value of others is to be forgotten. The Artificer of the universe so created man in the beginning with this “built in” equipment, and also with the power to choose between the two. Memory exists in the present, operates in the past, and extends into the future. The poet has said that it is “one gift of God that death cannot destroy.” It is my opinion that the power to remember, as suggested by Abraham to “Dives”, (Div-ees’ – Latin for the rich man of Luke 16 – DPS) shall be the most tormenting of all God will use eternally to punish the wicked.
The Mind And Memory
The human mind is a “store-house” of knowledge. We must be certain that this knowledge is authentic, reputable, trustworthy. It “supplies” the conscience, the “judge”, with the proper information in accepting, or rejecting the “orders” sent in by the five human senses: hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, feeling. Memory has a significant part in the classification, arousing, awakening, stirring up of the mind. The apostle Peter wrote: “I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.” (2Pet. 3:1). How we need to remember good things. To forget them is catastrophic. While it is true that we need to learn new things, we must not forget the “tried and tested” of yesterday. We need not walk “looking back over our shoulders”, as it were, but neither should we “forget” to “remember”. We need to “draw” from the past. There is strength and wisdom if we make diligent comparisons between ourselves of the “then” and the “now”, and apply what we learn in the activities of today and tomorrow.
from the booklet “MEMORIALS” by:
O.D. Wilson – deceased
The ‘things’ of this life, for which we will be judged, will never be forgotten. I hope all will make the right preparation while in this life. This is the only way our ‘eternal’ memories will be enjoyable. Remember, 2Cor. 5:10 tells us that we shall “receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” Make good memories now – Obey the gospel, then remain faithful till death.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
