As a wordsmith, I sometimes get stuck on one word or one phrase. Then I chew on it awhile, do some research, and determine what I can learn about the topic. For several months, the word ‘Remember’ has been my focus.
Throughout scripture, we find the phrase, ‘And God remembered.’ At first, it feels unsettling. Did God forget and suddenly divine dementia found clarity? No. Definitely not. God is omniscient — knowing everything that concerns his beloved children. Past, present, and future.
Yet, the phrase repeats in several places:
- God remembered Noah (Genesis 8:1). He did not forget this family and the animals bobbing around on the water. God sent a wind to start drying things out.
- God remembered Abraham (Genesis 19:29) when Abe wanted to rescue his nephew, Lot, from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. God sent angels to rescue Abe’s family.
- God remembered Rachel (Genesis 30:22). Infertility scourged her soul, especially during a time when bearing children was considered a blessing from God. Especially bearing sons. God remembered and enabled Rachel to conceive a son, Joseph, who would eventually rescue the entire nation.
- God remembered Hannah (First Samuel 1:19). Another woman who desperately wanted a child. God answered with the boy Samuel who would become one of the key prophets to Israel and anoint David as king.
Scholars believe these passages about God’s remembering do not refer to a memory bank issue. Instead, the word indicates that God has once again re-engaged with these particular requests. A reboot, in today’s vernacular.
The timing of their individual challenge has run its course, so now God is ready to show up. To answer that prayer. To work a miracle. To teach a lesson. God has not — and never will — forget his beloved. But he will sometimes allow us to learn some difficult lessons as we wait, always with the goal of becoming transformed into the image of Christ.
One of the most poignant cries of scripture occurs during the crucifixion of Jesus (Luke 23:42-43). The thief who knows he deserves punishment realizes who Jesus is. He begs, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus reassures him with the promise, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.”
But Jesus was also privy to such a cry (Luke 22:19). As he shared the final supper with his disciples, Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
Here was a young man, about to experience the cruelty of crucifixion, asking his best friends to remember him. So each time we participate in the holy meal, we remember Jesus and what he did for us. We re-engage with the Savior. We lay down our stresses, our self-sufficiency, and offer him our honor and thanksgiving. We remember Jesus.
To remember someone involves more than a sweet memory. It is the act of appreciating the life that person lived and re-engaging in the heritage we share as human beings. Then each of us can also repeat, “Remember me, Jesus. Re-engage with me even as I re-engage with you.”
©2026 RJ Thesman – All Rights Reserved
Image Attribution: Chainver-gallery / Pixabay
Ruthie learns how to remember her past with clarity yet embrace the grace of engaging with Jesus. Check out her story in Seeking the Land of Grace.