We are all story-tellers at heart, and the stories you keep well-dusted and within arm’s reach are the most important ones. Because the memories you recite to yourself most often are the ones that take up residence in your Thought Closet and color the walls. And the way you interpret those stories– the meaning you assign to them– shapes the way you see yourself and others, your understanding of God, your ability to trust and hope and face the world. In the book of Deuteronomy God tells His people over and over to remember, to tell the stories of His deliverance and love to one another, to their children, day by day, so that they do not forget Him. Remember even the hard times, and see God’s protection and faithfulness in the midst of them. So that their lives will be colored by His presence and the significance of His plans for them. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” (Jeremiah 29:11) Remember this.

Paul underscores the why of remembering in his letter to the Roman believers: when you forget what God has done you begin to lose sight of Who He Is, and that is a downward slide into darkness. Forgetfulness is what the Enemy has been cultivating ever since he first started planting seeds in the Garden, whispering to the First Woman that maybe she didn’t know God as well as she thought she did. So God tells us to remember…remember what He has done… remember Who He Is… and tell it over and over to each other so we don’t forget.

When I remember God’s power to help and deliver, His beauty and holiness, then my heart bows down and worships the way it was made to do, and I discover who I am and who I want to be. When I take the time to acknowledge His many kindnesses undeserved, thankfulness wells up naturally, the created responding to the Creator. When I recognize His faithful love to me that gave up His own Son, how can I help but love Him in return and praise Him for Who He Is? The Wise King told his sons that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10) Remembering the right things is the way to grow wise, the way to make good choices in life, the way to paint your Thought Closet in shades of Light.

And we do get to choose what memories we tell ourselves, and how we interpret those stories. One of King David’s worship leaders sang about his choice to remember God in the middle of his distress, feeling alone and hopeless, ready to give up…but he remembered what stories to tell himself at night…he chose what to recite to his soul. “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will consider all Your works and meditate on all Your mighty deeds.” (Psalm 77:11-12) And as this singer focused on God and on what God had done, the atmosphere of his Thought Closet changed to praise and joy and hope. “Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?” (verse 13)

What the worship leader says poetically, Paul reiterates as warning for the early church, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:21) It is dangerous for us to forget, to tell ourselves stories that aren’t true or that focus only on our needs, our pain, our fears. Open your eyes to see God at work in your life, and be thankful; tell those stories often, to yourself and others, so that you will remember. Especially when you grow weary of walking, and feel the sorrow of living in this world, and when you can’t see your way clearly. Especially then, choose to tell the stories of God’s presence and power, so that you can remember that He is God and He is good, and you are His.

“When I feel the cold of winter,
And this cloak of sadness, I need You;
All the evil things that shake me,
All the words that break me, I need You.

Over the mountains,
Over the sea–
Here You come running, my Lover to me.

Do not hide me from Your presence,
Pull me from Your shadows– I need You.
Beauty, wrap Your arms around me,
Sing Your song of kindness– I need You.”
(Song of Solomon, Jesus Culture)

“Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him….For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love.” (Psalm 33:1, 4-5)