Lest We Forget

The past few days seem to revolve around a similar routine that is not normal. In fact, it’s been easy to forget which day we are facing. That’s not age, nor is it “vacation”, rather, it’s become the normal identity of isolation.

When the Swiss Family Robinson, Robinson Caruso, or any other person you can imagine trapped by circumstance, the story often tells they begin to try and recall what the day of the week may be.

I’m understanding this better every day! Tragedy and circumstance rolls us from one day into another. Days, weeks and months pass. All the while you focus on rebuilding and restructuring.

Finally, you ask yourself the non-answerable question. What day is it?

We’ve all walked into a room and promptly forgot why we are standing at the door. Were we coming in to get something, or about to leave to do something! In fact, I will retrace my steps hoping that the memory gets jogged a little and my purpose will be restored.

We Forget

When I was young, I have this distinct memory of shopping at K-Mart on a particular day of the week. Specials, double stamp day, or the earliest you could shop in advance of the next pay day knowing your check will not clear too quickly.

Your whole week revolves around this event. Mom would head for the grocery aisles, and I would go to where the Hardy Boy books were hoping for new material. I always had my money saved for this day! Soda bottles were washed and turned in for 2 cents per bottle. It took about 75 bottles to buy a book!

I never want to forget the past. Right?!!?

But, we forget trash day, paying a bill on time, or making an important phone call.

We don’t forget our own birthday, but it’s easy to forget yours.

I’ve a grand memory for forgetting.
~Robert Louis Stevenson

I’ve described something recently to my bride and used words like “whatchamacallit, thingamabob” or simply projected my mental powers forward and said, “You know…”. Sometimes she figures me out. Most times I’m left scrambling for the word!

What was that word?

Here’s My Thought Today

I never want to be guilty of forgetting the most important thing on my plate. From anniversaries (46 years this July), or even if it’s Church day… There are things I never want to forget.

Think about it like this, when we are in our deepest quagmire of life, we surely don’t want to be forgotten! The psalmist paints a picture of life in a certain situation and he begins to look for his solution. Salvation. He writes it like this.

“To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David.
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,
when my heart is overwhelmed:
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For thou hast been a shelter for me,
and a strong tower from the enemy.”  
Psalms 61:1-3 (KJV)

Other than the obvious cry for help from the furthest point away from God he could imagine, I read between the lines. David is reminding the Lord of their history together.

You “have” been a shelter for me
and a strong tower from the enemy.
Lead me to that rock! It is higher than I.

This may seem to be small minded, but I think it’s good to remind God what he has been to us. Why? It cements my memory of Him! It tells Him (that’s me) that you are putting yourself into the Lord’s hands for safety and direction. You are willing to be led to a safer place from your dilemma.

Don’t Forget His Promises

We sing that old song,

“Every promise in the book is mine.
Every chapter.
Every Verse.
Every Line.
I am trusting in His Love divine.
Every promise in the book is mine.”

But then, we forget his promises. We don’t pick up his book and read. When we are overwhelmed we let our emotions control us instead of searching out his scriptures for answers.

One more psalm from David.

“A Song of degrees.
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:
he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is thy keeper:
the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil:
he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in
from this time forth, and even for evermore.”  
Psalms 121:1-8 (KJV)

You may forget the day of the week, or season of the year, but if you have your bible with you, you can read to remind youresell of all God’s promises of blessing.

Let’s not forget that.