Reference for your Remembrance Before God
Rev. Tetteh Annor-Larbi | November 24, 2023 | Nehemiah 5:14-19
KEY VERSE: Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people. Nehemiah 5:19 (NKJV)
MESSAGE:
When Nehemiah prayed to God to remember him for good, according to all that he had done for the Jews, he referenced God to a particular point of action that he had done for God’s people. In Acts 10:4 an angel of the Lord appeared to a gentile and said to him that his prayers and his gifts to the poor have become a memorial before God. Our neighbourly deeds not only catch God's attention but also prompt Him to remember us with kindness.
It matters when we show kindness to people and do good to them. These good deeds become reference points for us to pray to God to remember us and show us mercy. In 2 Kings 20:3, King Hezekiah prayed a similar prayer and God heard him and answered him.
Our acts of kindness create a lasting memorial before God, a reference point in our prayers for His favourable intervention. In human interactions, a single good deed can echo through generations, bringing reward long after the doer and the recipient have departed. How much more profound is this truth when we consider the God who created and observes all things? Certainly, we can confidently invoke these deeds as a basis for seeking His favour.
FEET AND HANDS OF THE MESSAGE:
Let us not relent in doing good to people. As much as we can, let us not restrain our hand in showing them kindness. Our good deeds will become a reference point for our remembrance before God in our time of need.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help me as much as I am able, not to withhold the good things you have blessed me with, from those who need them. Remember me Oh Lord for all the good I have done to people. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: REMEMBER ME
"Remember Me" - זְכוֹר־לִי (zᵊḵōr-lî): The Hebrew term "zakar" means to remember actively, encompassing the idea of bringing to mind, honouring, or acting on behalf of the one remembered.
The plea "remember me" echoes throughout Scripture. Joseph asked the chief cupbearer to remember him in prison (Genesis 40:14), and the Psalmist often implores God to remember His covenant and mercy (Psalm 25:7). In the New Testament, Jesus on the cross tells the repentant thief, "Today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43), a profound act of remembrance. Moreover, Hezekiah prayed for God's remembrance when facing death, and God granted him additional years (Isaiah 38:2-5).
Nehemiah's plea, "Remember me" extends beyond a simple request for memory. It reflects a desire for divine favour, acknowledging God's faithfulness in the face of challenging circumstances. Nehemiah seeks God's ongoing involvement in his life, underscoring the depth of his reliance on divine guidance.
Reflections:
What does it mean for us to say "Remember me" in our prayers and reflections? Is it a plea for God's ongoing presence, favour, and guidance, recognizing His faithfulness in our journey?
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