Within the earlier Friday Focus, we started taking a look at how God remembers folks once they cry out to him. Not like man-made idols, religions, and philosophies, the God of Creation hears his folks—those that bear his identify—once they humble themselves and search his face in prayer. That is the God who hears from heaven, remembers them, and responds.
We’re persevering with on by the Outdated Testomony and into the New to study of others who sought the Lord and had been remembered.
God remembered Hannah in her barrenness.
Very like Rachel in our earlier put up, Hannah has struggled in her incapacity to bear youngsters for Elkanah, her husband. Throughout a visit to Shiloh, the priest Eli notices a girl in misery. That is her prayer:
Making a vow, she pleaded, “Lord of Armies, if you’ll take discover of your servant’s affliction, keep in mind and never overlook me, and provides your servant a son, I’ll give him to the Lord all the times of his life, and his hair won’t ever be reduce.” (1 Samuel 1:11 CSB)
The growing old priest wasn’t certain what to make of this lady and accused her of being drunk, however Hannah made it clear that she was sober and easily pouring out her coronary heart to the Lord. Assured of her sincerity, Eli needs her nicely and prays the God of Israel would grant her request. That encouraging phrase was all Hannah wanted, and he or she left, ate, and, because the Scripture says, “now not regarded despondent” (v.18).
How usually can we pray after which transfer on in belief that God hears and responds? Hannah’s religion didn’t go unnoticed by the Lord.
The subsequent morning Elkanah and Hannah obtained up early to worship earlier than the Lord. Afterward, they returned dwelling to Ramah. Then Elkanah was intimate along with his spouse Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. After a while, Hannah conceived and gave delivery to a son. She named him Samuel, as a result of she stated, “I requested him from the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1:19-20, emphasis added)
Not solely did the Lord keep in mind Hannah, however she remembered her vow to the Lord and gave her son as much as his service for all the times of his life.
Hezekiah begs the Lord to recollect him.
Should you’ve learn the e-book of two Kings, you already know there are quite a lot of kings to fill these pages. Some would do what was proper within the eyes of the Lord whereas others would do what was evil. Hezekiah could be on the best facet, and his reign was a excessive level within the historical past of the kings of Judah.
Hezekiah relied on the Lord God of Israel; not one of many kings of Judah was like him, both earlier than him or after him. He remained devoted to the Lord and didn’t flip from following him however stored the instructions the Lord had commanded Moses. (2 Kings 18:5-6)
So, when he later obtained sick, and the prophet Isaiah advised him to place his home so as, Hezekiah simply wasn’t able to face his personal finish. Within the bitterness of his spirit, maybe he anticipated an extended life and higher means of dying.
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Please, Lord, keep in mind how I’ve walked earlier than you faithfully and wholeheartedly and have performed what pleases you.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. (2 Kings 20:2-3, emphasis added)
Being a recent of the king, Isaiah information this occasion within the thirty-eighth chapter of his prophecy. The Lord reveals to the prophet that he heard the king’s prayer and can add fifteen years to his life. Sadly, we study that in these further years, Hezekiah does a silly factor in revealing all of the treasures of his kingdom to Babylonian guests, opening the best way for future invasion and exile.
Not like Hannah, his request to the Lord was not with such a noble function however for egocentric achieve, and it might be at an awesome price.
Nehemiah prays for God to recollect his good deeds.
The decision of Nehemiah for God to recollect additionally differs from that of Hannah and Hezekiah. As an alternative of a present-day want or extension of life, Nehemiah is trying far into the longer term, to everlasting rewards. Although a Jew, he served in the course of the exile because the cupbearer to the Persian king. It was a spot of privilege that few exiles would think about holding. Nonetheless, in his coronary heart, he was a follower of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and his loyalty was to his God and other people.
Nehemiah could be led by God to return to Jerusalem to paved the way within the rebuilding the partitions of the town. He served faithfully regardless of trials and opposition, finishing the undertaking in fifty-two days. As he served among the many folks, we discover in his report of the work two quick sentences addressed to the Lord.
The primary comes after an outline of injustices dedicated in opposition to the poor and an outline of his report as governor:
Bear in mind me favorably, my God, for all that I’ve performed for this folks. (Nehemiah 5:19, emphasis added)
The second comes after an outline of additional reforms beneath his management:
Bear in mind me for this, my God, and don’t erase the deeds of devoted love I’ve performed for the home of my God and for its companies. (Nehemiah 13:14, emphasis added)
Nehemiah was conscious that on the finish of days, God will choose us for our deeds. As he’s working, he’s asking God to recollect what he’s performed. Do we’ve to ask God to recollect our good deeds and overlook our unhealthy? No, his reminiscence is bound, and all our deeds are written down. They may all be remembered and obtain their simply reward.
A final-minute, last-ditch prayer to be remembered.
Whereas we will simply overlook that God by no means forgets, there may be one remaining name for God to recollect. Made by an unlikely individual in an uncommon place. We discover it within the twenty-third chapter of Luke’s gospel, as Jesus is hanging on the cross.
Then one of many criminals hanging there started to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save your self and us!”
However the different answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even worry God, since you might be present process the identical punishment? We’re punished justly, as a result of we’re getting again what we deserve for the issues we did, however this man has performed nothing improper.” Then he stated, “Jesus, keep in mind me while you come into your kingdom.”
And he stated to him, “Actually I inform you, immediately you may be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
This had nothing to do with God remembering his works, for what works had he performed? He was a prison on the cross, receiving the simply punishment for his crimes. There was nothing of value within the actions he’d dedicated in life. And but, like Nehemiah, he’s nonetheless trying to a future fully completely different from his present circumstance and asks Jesus to recollect him when he comes into his kingdom. Jesus would don’t have any hassle remembering, for he advised him that in that very same day, the person would be part of him in paradise.
Will we overlook that we’re with Jesus immediately in his kingdom? He remembers us within the right here and now in addition to in eternity. What are you crying out to God to recollect? Is it one thing you want and lengthy for? Is it for him to heal you from sickness? Is it for him to recollect your good works or your religion in Christ?
Relaxation within the data that God sees, God hears, God solutions, and God remembers.
Grace and Peace
Should you missed the final Friday Focus put up, click on HERE, or begin from the Starting.