Lamentations 3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

I find it comforting to focus on His love and mercies. A living sacrifice chooses to obey by faith rather than choosing to live by the flesh.

Nehemiah 9:28 But after they had rest they did evil again before you, and you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them. Yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you delivered them according to your mercies.

We should remember the mistakes of the past and the consequences of sin lest we fall from grace and suffer needlessly.

The enemy is waiting to make us suffer.

Luke 1:54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

1 Corinthians 11:24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

As I gave thought to post about memory and wanted to post about our Lord’s call to us to remember what He has done for us, I did not remember Luke 1:54. I had not forgotten it but I did not remember it in connection with my intention.

Memory can be intentional but often they come unbidden.

I do not often think about Cinder, the cat I loved the most. Memory does not depend on the quality of love we have. I have no greater love for a pet than I have for her.

I remember my first encounter with my loving God who showed mercy to me when I prayed for the first time in my life. I will never forget it even though I do not often intentionally remember that moment.

It is a good thing that my bible search brought me Luke 1:54 first on the list of New Testament occurrences. It is one of the most important aspects of memory. They have to happen to us to be remembered.

I don’t remember being born but I remember being born again. Without the natural birth the second birth does not happen. It is the most important memory. I remember when each of my children were born even though they do not remember. 

I do not wait for a ceremonial communion to remember what my Lord has done for me.

That is too important to leave to chance.