Remember Together

By Dean Collins

I was on a phone call a few minutes ago with an executive in her early forties. She had just finished a meeting with two other executives about the same age. They were discussing a proposal for a significant client who had expressed interest in their product several months earlier but had since lost interest. They wanted to model their new proposal after one they had developed a few months ago—but no one could remember the name of the prospect!

Being old enough to be their father, these young executives occasionally tease me when I forget a name. The truth is…we all forget things.

Psalm 111 is a hymn of praise celebrating God’s glory, righteousness, and faithfulness throughout history. The opening verses call us to praise the Lord with our whole heart, to give thanks, and to delight in His mighty works.

Notice where the psalm begins:

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.” (Psalm 111:1)

Before the psalmist ever tells us to remember God’s works, he places us among God’s people. That is no accident.

A few verses later he writes:

“He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.” (Psalm 111:4)

God knows something about us—we are forgetful people.

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly calls His people to remember. Remember the Exodus. Remember His covenant. Remember His faithfulness. Remember the cross. Remember that the Lord is gracious and merciful.

When I forget something, I have a few tricks for getting the librarian in my head to find the right file. Sometimes I retrace my steps, mentally and physically. Sometimes I ask my wife because two heads really are better than one. Sometimes I simply talk through the events out loud until the missing piece suddenly appears.

God has given us similar helps for our spiritual memory.

He has given us His Word so we can remember His mighty acts throughout history. But He has also given us each other. We gather in worship not simply to sing songs or hear a sermon, but to remind one another of who God is and what He has done. Every testimony of answered prayer, every story of God’s provision, every account of His sustaining grace becomes another reminder for someone whose memory has grown dim.

The congregation becomes a place where God’s wondrous works are remembered together.

One practice that has helped me is writing those stories down. Looking back over what God has done almost always turns my heart toward gratitude and praise. What seemed ordinary at the time often becomes extraordinary when viewed through the lens of God’s faithfulness.

So the next time you see me, remind me of something God has done for you. I’ll gladly return the favor. As we remind one another of God’s faithfulness, our memories are strengthened, our faith is encouraged, and our praise grows deeper.

Father, thank You for preserving the testimony of Your mighty works in Scripture. Thank You for giving us the church, where we can remind one another of Your faithfulness from generation to generation. Help us never to keep Your goodness to ourselves, but to speak often of Your grace so that together we remember, believe, and praise You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Psalm 111 ESV

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