A Life in Exile

Just as God remembers us in our weakness, he also remembers those who trust in him. My favorite prophet, Jeremiah, is the source of most of today’s references, but we’ll end with a final beautiful thought by Malachi.

God remembers the early days of our faith.

One of the hardest rebukes heard by the church is found in God’s word to the church of Ephesus when he tells them: “You have forsaken your first love” (Revelation 2:4 NIV). How could God say this if he did not remember the early days of their journey with Christ?

This would be the same direction he spoke through Jeremiah to the people of Judah almost five hundred years prior. He remembered how things were before they went off the rails.

The word of the Lord came to me: “Go and announce directly to Jerusalem that this is what the Lord says: I remember the loyalty of your youth, your love as a bride—how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Israel was holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his harvest.” (Jeremiah 2:1-3a CSB, emphasis added)

What is God saying to you today about what he remembers of your first days together? Are you still as loyal to him as you were in the days, weeks, and months after you trusted in Christ as your Lord and Savior? Are you still willing to follow him to the hard places?

God takes note of our love for his Word.

We know from later revelation that God does indeed keep track of our works. Out of his suffering, Jeremiah prayed the Lord would remember how he had remained true to God’s Word.

You know, Lord; remember me and take note of me. Avenge me against my persecutors. In your patience, don’t take me away. Know that I suffer disgrace for your honor. Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart, for I bear your name, Lord God of Armies. (Jeremiah 15:15-16, emphasis added)

When I read this, I ask myself if I can pray the same? What about you? Do you regularly feast on the Word of God? Is his Word a delight and joy to you?

God takes note of what we long for and desire. Psalm 119 is the longest of all the psalms, and what is the theme? God’s Word.

God remembers how we stand true to him.

Jeremiah knew that unless the Lord remembered, all would be lost for him and God’s people. He prayed, trusting God to remember his faithfulness in carrying out his call. It was not an easy task, and Jeremiah faced a lot of resistance, but he trusted God to remember and not forget.

Pay attention to me, Lord. Hear what my opponents are saying! Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before you to speak good on their behalf, to turn your anger from them. (Jeremiah 18:19-20, emphasis added)

His love for God’s people pours over into the book of Lamentations. A desolate city, a disgraced people, but Jeremiah prayed their exile and despair would not last forever. Why? Because the Lord would remember.

Lord, remember what has happened to us. Look, and see our disgrace! (Lamentations 5:1, emphasis added)

The years of their punishment would eventually come to an end. God would remember his covenant and his people, not for their sake, but for the sake of his name.

When all seems hopeless, God remembers his people.

Returned from exile, but depressed and oppressed, God’s people wondered if following the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was worth it. If the evil prosper and the good struggle, why should they remain faithful? Just before the long time of silence, God will speak through the prophet Malachi with one more word of hope that is worth us remembering today.

At that time those who feared the Lord spoke to one another. The Lord took notice and listened. So a book of remembrance was written before him for those who feared the Lord and had high regard for his name. “They will be mine,” says the Lord of Armies, “my own possession on the day I am preparing. I will have compassion on them as a man has compassion on his son who serves him. So you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. (Malachi 3:16-18, emphasis added)

Those who still feared the Lord would be remembered by God. They would be his, considered as his possession, on the day he was preparing. What is that day? The Day of the Lord’s Return. On that day, all remembered by God and who bear his name will be gifted with resurrected bodies and rule with him on a renewed earth. The trials of the past will be forgotten as all things are made new.

Do not despair, even though evil seems to have the high ground. Remain faithful to Christ, knowing that God remembers and will call you to himself on that great day. Stay true to Christ, his Word, his Way, for God never forgets those who fear him.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Friday Focus post, click HERE, or start from the Beginning.