What does the Bible say about memory?
One of the greatest gifts that God has given humanity is the beautiful gift of memory. In a sense, memory allows us to relive a moment that was so special to us.
I’m extremely pensive and I always find myself reminiscing about the past. I love to cherish and hold on to memories. Let’s find out what is said about memory.
Quotes
- “Some memories are unforgettable, remaining ever vivid and heartwarming!”
- “Memories are timeless treasures of the heart.”
- “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”
- “Memory… is the diary that we all carry about with us.”
- “Memories are special moments that tell our story.”
Treasure the small things in your heart
There are times when God is doing things and we might not understand it yet. That is why it’s important to cherish the little moments on your walk with Christ. You might not know exactly what He is doing but you know something is being done. One of the best ways to treasure the small things is by journaling.
Write things down daily and pray about them. In Luke 2 we noticed that Mary treasured and thought about all that occurred and was said before her. She treasured things in her heart even though she didn’t fully understand. We should also treasure and cherish the little things even though we don’t fully understand and see the full picture yet.
1. Luke 2:19 “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”
2. Luke 2:48-50 “When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house? But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.”
Remember what the Lord has done for you.
Some of my greatest memories are the ones that involve my Christian testimony. It’s such a beautiful picture in our mind when we remember how God drew us to repentance and saved us. This memory is something that you should constantly replay in your mind. When I reminisce on the moment I came to Christ it’s similar to me preaching the gospel to myself. Remembering how God saved me reminds me of His love, His faithfulness, His goodness, etc.
Remembering what God has done for you keeps that fire burning for Christ. Many believers are spiritually dry and their affection for Christ is dull. One of the main reasons for this is that we don’t remind ourselves of the great price that was paid for us. Scripture tells us that unbelievers are dead in sin, enemies of God, blinded by Satan, and haters of God. However, God in His grace and mercy still sent His perfect Son to die on our behalf. God sent His perfect Son to do what we couldn’t. We deserved all the punishment in the world, but He instead threw it upon Christ.
Sometimes I look back and think “wow I can’t believe He regenerated my heart!” God removed my old desires and gave me new desires for Christ. I’m no longer seen as an enemy of God or a sinner. He now sees me as a saint. I can now enjoy Christ and grow in intimacy with Him. Please don’t forget these great truths! As you walk with Christ for 5, 10, and 20 years, these memories are going to help you to keep your focus on Christ and His great love for you.
3. 1 Peter 1:10-12 “Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.”
4. Ephesians 2:12-13 “Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
5. Hebrews 2:3 “How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.”
6. Psalm 111:1-2 “Praise the LORD. I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. 2 Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.”
7. 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 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.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
Remember God’s past faithfulness
My memories become some of my greatest praises. If you are a Christian who is trying to learn how to trust in God more, then look back to what He did before. Sometimes Satan tries to make us believe that past deliverances were just a coincidence. Look back to those times and remember how He answered your prayer. Remember how He lead you when Satan tries to tell you lies. In the beginning of the year I took a trip to North Carolina. On my trip I revisited a trail that I hiked the year prior. I remember the previous year I was struggling with fear.
One day in North Carolina I hiked a trial in the evening. As it got darker and darker God was speaking to me and He was reminding me that I was safe in Him and that He was sovereign. As I was coming down it was pitch black. In this specific part of the forest I was by myself, but yet I had no fear while going down as I did while going up the mountain. On that hike that day I faced my fears. This year I hiked the same trail. I believe this time God was speaking to me about trusting Him. As I hiked the trail I had multiple flashbacks of God’s faithfulness.
As I passed certain points on the trail I would remember this is where I was when I rested. This is where I was when God said this. This is exactly where I was when I had full confidence in God’s sovereignty.
Remembering God’s faithfulness on my past trip helped me to trust in God more. I feel like God was saying, “do you remember this? I was with you then and I’m with you now.” Remember how God delivered you. Remember how He spoke to you. Remember how He guided you. He’s the same God and if He has done it before He will do it again.
8. Psalm 77:11-14 “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 12 I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds. 13 Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? 14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”
9. Psalm 143:5-16 “I remember to think about the many things you did in years gone by. Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you.
10. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
11. Psalm 9:1 “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”
12. Deuteronomy 7:17–19 “You may say to yourselves, “These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?” 18 But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. 19 You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the Lord your God brought you out. The Lord your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.”
Remembering others in prayer
One thing I love about Paul is that he always remembered other believers in prayer. Paul was imitating Christ which is exactly what we should be doing. We are called to remember others. We have been given a great privilege to be used by God in prayer. Let’s take advantage of it. I will admit that I struggle with this. My prayers can be so selfish at times.
However, as I get closer to the heart of Christ I’m noticing a greater love for others. That love manifests in remembering others and praying for them. Remember that stranger that you talked to. Remember those unsaved family members. Remember those friends going through tough situations. If you struggle with this such as myself I encourage you to pray that God would give you His heart. Pray that He helps you to remember others and that He brings people to your mind as you pray.
13. Philippians 1:3-6 “I thank God for you whenever I think of you. 4 I always have joy as I pray for all of you. 5 It is because you have told others the Good News from the first day you heard it until now. 6 I am sure that God Who began the good work in you will keep on working in you until the day Jesus Christ comes again.”
14. Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
15. Ephesians 1:16-18 “Do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”
16. Hebrews 13:3 “Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.”
17. 2 Timothy 1:3-5 “I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”
Painful memories
So far, we’ve talked about the good aspect of memories. However, there are also memories that we would like to forget. We all have bad memories that try to resurface in our mind. The trauma from our past can be overwhelming and I know receiving healing is not easy. However, we have a Savior who restores our brokenness and makes us new. We have a Savior who pours out love and comfort.
We have a Savior who reminds us that we are not our past. He reminds us of our identity in Him. Christ is continually healing us. He wants us to be vulnerable before Him and bring our brokenness to Him. Always remember that God can use your painful memories for His glory. He understands your pain and He is faithful to help you through it. Allow Him to renew your mind and work on building your love relationship with Him.
18. Psalm 116:3-5 “The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” 5 The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.”
19. Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
20. Philippians 3:13-14 “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Leaving behind a good legacy
Everyone will one day be just a memory. If we are honest, we all desire to leave a good memory of ourselves after we die. The memory of believers should be a blessing because of holy living. The memory of believers should bring encouragement and inspiration to others.
21. Proverbs 10:7 “The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.”
22. Psalm 112:6 “Surely he will never be shaken. The righteous man will be remembered forever.”
Bonus
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.”
Thank you for this. I had a sharp memory today as I was cleaning out a bathroom cabinet and found a can of my husband’s shaving cream. Ron passed away a year ago and I am moving into a new life as a widow. The shaving cream brought back memories both precious and painful. I immediately looked up some verses about memories and can upon your site. I can especially relate to the hike in North Carolina. Ron was ill for many years and it was an uphill battle, but Gad was faithful. He will continue to be faithful as I walk down the hill as well. Blessings!
My husband fought a hard battle with cancer for fifteen months. He took his last breath on earth twelve days ago. Thank you for these words that gave me comfort.