By John Crouch – Olney, Maryland
Haven’t you often felt like this?
“Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day.” Genesis 41:9 KJV
In Genesis 40, the butler was confined in jail with Joseph, who interpreted a dream for the butler, telling of his soon release and restoration to favor.
It all happened! Yet in return, the butler remembered nothing of the favor, “but forgat him.”
He did remember – TWO YEARS LATER – when Pharaoh himself needed a dream interpreted, and the butler had to correct his fault before the royal audience, and had Pharaoh call for Joseph.
Many records in Scripture show how often people are like the butler.
“And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god. And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:” Judges 8:33-34 KJV
Not so with God.
God Remembers Us
In my own study, I’ve taken an interest in looking for “structures” in Scripture, where a section of Scripture can be divided into two parts, with themes in the first half appear in parallel with themes in the second half, all revolving around a central them.
I have in my files a journal article that shows the record of Noah’s flood having a perfect correspondence between the first half and the second half, all centering around the verse Genesis 8:1: “And God remembered Noah.”
He is One Who does not forget.
When do we need to remember Him? When we are most discouraged! When we or others need healing and comfort, and the moment’s anguish overwhelms our memory of His goodness.
Remember His Miracles
Decades ago, I was at a Christian music festival – enjoyable in the past – but one year something happened that discouraged many. I was walking through the crowd the day after and felt so low I could not reach up to touch bottom!
Then a girl I had known a few years before in another state came out of the crowd and we chatted. All the time, she was blinking her eyes.
Finally, I stopped her and asked why. She said, “Don’t you remember? I was going blind and you prayed for my eyes. And they were completely healed. I see fine now!”
We talked a little more, gave each other our best, and I watched her walk back into the crowd, thinking to myself “Did I do that?” Yes, I had!
God put me in remembrance that He had showed up for that girl and for me, and would still show His power to heal.
Remember His Goodness
How often we have distracted ourselves, as the Psalmist:
“I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?” Psalm 77:5-8 KJV
We have all been there! But note the problem: “I” “I” “I” “I.”
It’s so easy to do – but when the Psalmist turned his thoughts to God, he got his answer.
“And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.” Psalm 77:10-11 KJV
How can we better bring to remembrance God’s goodness? In our day, we have the spirit of Christ within us.
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26 KJV
This spirit in Peter called him and the believers he addressed to remember.
“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.” 2 Peter 1:12 KJV
Lest we be overwhelmed in the moment, remember when God came through for you – and act!
John Crouch and his wife Gervais were married for almost 40 years, with two grown children and two grandchildren. In that time, they studied, taught, and ministered the Bible to believers all around the world, including the Christian Family Fellowship Ministry family for the last decade.
John passed away on January 22, 2022, and is now awaiting the return of Jesus Christ. When that time comes, if you’re behind him at the bema [judgement seat of Christ], you had better bring some snacks- because you will be waiting for your turn a long time; his rewards for doing good in the body of Christ will be plentiful!