Lord, Remember Me!
"Very good men have sometimes been ready to conclude themselves forgotten of God, especially when their afflictions have been unusually grievous and long." - Matthew Henry
"The groans of the oppressed cry aloud in the ears of the righteous God, to Whom vengeance belongs, especially the groans of God's spiritual Israel; He knows the burdens they groan under and the blessings they groan after..."
"As it is a great comfort to us, so it ought to be a sufficient one, in our troubles, that God sees and considers, and remembers, all that has come upon us..."
"Those that remember God shall certainly be remembered by Him, how desolate and disconsolate soever their condition may be. He will appoint them a set time and remember them."
- all of the above quotes from Matthew Henry
"The whole history of Israel is foreshadowed in these words: God heard, remembered, looked upon, and knew them." - Barnes' Notes
A classic prayer that is implied throughout the Scriptures is this one - "Lord, remember me."
Have you ever prayed that prayer, O Saint of God? Have you ever felt as though the Lord had forgotten you?
What does it mean when the Scriptures say that He "remembered" a certain individual or nation?
Let's look into God's Word for further understanding on this topic. I promise you - you will be elated at the end of this message when you realize all that is behind this short prayer.
Genesis 8:1 says - "And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged."
Noah was in the ark longer than he expected. He had not heard from God for about five months. It is very likely that he began to feel as though the Lord Almighty had forgotten about him. But it is impossible for God to ever forget His creatures. He made a promise to them, and He would be certain to keep it.
He is said to "remember Noah" when He took measures to deliver him from the waters. His remembrance was a manifestation of Himself. The return of His mercy to mankind came in the form of a wind which dried up the waters from the earth.
Exodus 2:24 says - "And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob."
God seemed to have forgotten the children of Israel. They suffered severely under the hand of the Egyptians. With groans and cries, they sent forth their petitions unto Him. Rather than ignore them, He took notice of their complaints. He was ever mindful of their sufferings. He promised to bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey. In fulfillment of His promise, He demonstrated His mercy and power and brought them out of their bondage and slavery to Egypt.
Psalm 132:1 says - "LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions."
What sort of "afflictions" was he facing at this time? He encountered many troubles as a result of being God's "anointed." But this Scripture is referring specifically to the anxiety that he felt over building a house for the Lord or securing a lasting place of worship. God remembered His lovingkindness and tender mercies toward His servant. He raised up Solomon - David's son - to get the job done.
So we see from the Scriptures that when it is said - "God remembered" His people - it actually means that He helped them when they were found in difficulties and distresses and delivered them out of them all.
Now, let's bring this study down to a more personal level.
Psalm 136:23 says - "Who remembered us in our low estate..."
On thing is for certain - God does remember His people. He especially remembers them when they are in utter weakness - facing abject poverty, bereavement, despondency, sickness, oppression, fear, and loss.
Both Jeremiah and David understood that He was indeed a Good God and that His mercy flowed out of His goodness. That is why they cried unto Him in their "low estate" saying -
"Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach"(Lamentations 5:1).
"...remember Thou me for Thy goodness' sake, O LORD"(Psalm 25:7).
Think about all that has "come upon you" in the past five years, six months, four weeks, or ten days. What about all of the troubles you have experienced or even the utter disgrace that has come upon you and your family?
Perhaps you have reached the place where you are at a loss for words. Why not pray this simple prayer in childlike faith - "Lord, remember me!" In answer, He will take notice of all your groanings. He will remember all your disgrace, afflictions, and all that has happened to you...all of the promises that He had spoken to you...His lovingkindness and tender mercy toward you...and the covenant that He has with you. He will return His mercy to you...begin to take steps to deliver you from the "many waters" which are seeking to drown you in despair...and deliver you out of all your troubles and difficulties.
God knows "the burdens you are groaning under" and "the blessings you are groaning after."
He sees, considers, and remembers all that has come upon you.
Knowing this, with all confidence, why not pray - "Lord remember me" ?
Keep in mind - if you will remember God, He will be sure to remember you.
May God Bless His Word.
Connie
WALKING IN TRUTH MINISTRY
P. O. Box 383016
Duncanville, TX. 75138-3016
Copyright 2006 by Connie Giordano
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