We Wait (2016 Remix)

Posted on September 8, 2025 by Pete

So often what gets me wrapped around the axle with prophecy is trying to lock down the “when.” When will that happen? In ancient Israel’s day? During Christ’s first advent? At His second advent? Presently, during this now but not yet kingdom age? During the millennial reign of Christ (if there is to be such a thing)? When the new heaven and earth come into being? And to be honest, for me at least, it can be kind of exhausting to try and figure out the “when.”

So this morning, I’m just chewing on the “what.” And then knowing that mine is to wait.

Hovering over a glorious promise in Isaiah 25:6-8 this morning. A day when, “on this mountain” the LORD of heaven’s armies will host an over-the-top feast for ALL PEOPLES of the earth. A day when He will swallow up “the covering that is cast over ALL PEOPLES, the veil that is spread over ALL NATIONS”–a day when “He will swallow up death forever.” And on that day He will “wipe away tears from ALL FACES” and all shame and disgrace will be taken away from ALL THE EARTH.

Noodle on that for a bit. A day when ALL PEOPLE will be liberated from the bondage of death. A day when ALL NATIONS will know what it is to freed from sin. A day when tears are a thing of the past for EVERYONE.

A promise for “that day” but a promise which, for those who walk by faith, is realized today in part though seen as in “a mirror dimly” (1Cor. 13:9-12). Knowing that Christ’s death on the cross paid the price for sin once for all–our reproach removed. Assured through faith that His resurrection evidenced His conquering power over death–the veil removed and death swallowed up forever. His abiding presence supplying all sufficient grace so that even the tears dry up for a time as they are displaced by an overriding joy when we come into various trials and temptations.

But we have yet to see the promise fulfilled in its entirety. Still wrestling with sin, though there is forgiveness and restoration through the blood of the Lamb (1John 1:9). Still battling death, though we know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2Cor. 5:8). Tears still slide down our cheeks though we know the touch of the God of all comfort (2Cor. 1:3) and the reality of the peace that passes all understanding (Php. 4:6-7).

And so, we wait.

Of that Isaiah prophecies as well:

It will be said on that day,
       “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him,
              that He might save us.
       This is the LORD; we have waited for Him;
              let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”

(Isaiah 25:9 ESV)

We have waited . . .

We wait for that day when our salvation is complete. We wait for a day of feasting when gladness and rejoicing will be uninterrupted — a day when the shroud of death is forever gone, the reproach of sin no longer even a memory, and the tears of sorrow a thing of the distant past.

We wait in anticipation for that day when faith will give way to sight.

And we wait knowing that our salvation is “nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Rom. 13:11).

In the meantime, we desire to “work out our salvation” with fear and trembling, submitting to God’s work in us, “both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Php. 2:12-13). In the meantime, we labor for His kingdom until He returns. In the meantime, we wait.

And in that day, we will proclaim,

“Behold, this is our God!
Behold, this is the LORD!
Let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation!”

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

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The Pompous Pride of All Glory

Posted on September 5, 2025 by Pete

Isaiah 23:17-18 hooks me. I’m intrigued by how God purposes to redeem the “merchandise and wages” of a prostitute and make them “holy to the LORD.” And so, I hover over Isaiah 23 for a bit this morning. I quickly skim through a couple of commentaries. And then as I re-read the chapter, a verse pops that sends a chill down my spine.

Isaiah 23 is “An Oracle Concerning Tyre and Sidon.” Do a bit of background reading and these two cities represented economic power that beat all other economic powers of their day. Sounds like they were the Amazon of their time with widespread trade agreements throughout the ancient world and a fleet of mercantile ships able to move goods and cash in on those agreements. But though once a friend of God’s people (2Sam. 5:11, 1Ki. 5:1), eventually they showed themselves an enemy (Ezek. 26:2-3). Thus, Isaiah’s oracle. Isaiah’s oracle but God’s judgment. And it’s the “why” of God’s determination that caused me to shudder.

Who has purposed this
      against Tyre, the bestower of crowns,
whose merchants were princes,
      whose traders were the honored of the earth?
The LORD of hosts has purposed it,
      to defile the pompous pride of all glory,
      to dishonor all the honored of the earth.

(Isaiah 23:8-9 ESV)

The pompous pride of all glory . . . that’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

I truly have no desire to “go political”, but the thought that flashed through my mind as I read and re-read this was, “O, the folly of MAGA.” Whatever short-term gain there might be in the pursuit of greatness and prosperity, of being at the top of the food chain when it comes to wealth and power, redemptive history shows it doesn’t end well. When pursuit of the gifts supersedes passion for the Giver of all good gifts (James 1:17) then, eventually, there’s a reckoning and God will defile the pompous pride of all glory. Literally, He will “pollute the excellency of all beauty” and “make light all the honored of earth” (YLT). Understandably, He will “bring low the pride of all glory” and “humble all who are renowned on the earth” (NIV).

Hover over Isaiah 23 and it’s clear that our God is not a catalyst for the spirit of “great again”, though He can choose to redeem it for His purposes (Isa. 23:17-18). Instead, God is a humbler of the haughty, opposed to the pompous pride of all glory.

And that’s not just an Old Testament thing.

“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

(James 4:6, 1Peter 5:5 ESV)

Let us beware the platform and pursuit of greatness. Let us reject the pompous pride of all glory.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you.

(1Peter 5:6 ESV)

Only by God’s grace. Only for God’s glory.

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The Blessing

Posted on September 4, 2025 by Pete

One of the things about early morning devos is that sometimes it can be a bit foggy between the ears when opening the Word. Times when that first cup of coffee is enough to open the eyes but not quite enough to have adequately lubricated the synapses firing in the brain. Creates a situation where though I am clearly reading my bible, I’m not always reading clearly my bible — if you know what I mean.

So, this morning as I take in one of my Old Testament readings — a reading that concerns Egypt — I immediately think of the exodus as I read of a great deliverance.

When they cry to the LORD because of oppressors, He will send them a savior and defender and deliver them.
. . . and He will listen to their pleas for mercy and heal them.

But then I do a double-take as I remember that I’m not reading in the book of Exodus but in the prophet Isaiah. The fog clears and I realize that this isn’t a promise about deliverance FROM Egypt, it is a promise about the deliverance OF Egypt.

In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the LORD because of oppressors, He will send them a savior and defender and deliver them. And the LORD will make Himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day and worship with sacrifice and offering, and they will make vows to the LORD and perform them. And the LORD will strike Egypt, striking and healing, and they will return to the LORD, and He will listen to their pleas for mercy and heal them.

(Isaiah 19:19-22 ESV)

What a shock it must have been for Israel to have heard Isaiah’s prophecy. This prophetic word alone would have been enough for some (many?) to discredit him as a heretic. Egypt saved? Egypt delivered? Egypt healed? Egypt worshiping God? The LORD making Himself known to the enemies of God? Never!

But for those who knew the Word, for those with ears to hear, the fog clears, and they remember the promise made to their father, Abraham.

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

(Genesis 12:1-3 ESV)

You will be a blessing . . . in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed . . .

Egypt blessed? Yup. Oppressors shown mercy? Uh-huh. Those sick in sin healed? You got it. Enemies made family? Yeah, that’s the blessing; the blessing made available to all the families of the earth through the seed of Abraham, Jesus, the Son of God.

Deliverance from the tyranny of sin and the bondage of death offered to all through the finished work of the cross where Jesus the Redeemer offered Himself once-for-all and once-forever for our trespasses and transgressions against a holy God. Reconciliation made possible for all the nations with God our Maker (Isa. 17:7) because of the reality of an empty tomb and a risen Savior. That’s the blessing.

The blessing known by this guy. Once himself an enemy of God, shackled by sin, and with no real hope of defeating death. But this morning, even if a bit foggy between the ears, knowing God, worshiping in holiness (not his own, but Another’s), because he has been counted as a friend of God the Father, able to master sin through God the Spirit, even as he stands as more than a conqueror over death in God the Son.

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

O, what grace! To God be the glory!

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Sharers in Christ

Posted on September 2, 2025 by Pete

Reminded this morning that there is a world of difference between being a spectator and being a participant. Between simply watching something and wholly sharing in it. Between the act of receiving a gift and the activity of engaging with that gift. Between “asking Jesus into our hearts” and actually partaking of Jesus with our whole lives. Yeah, there’s a difference — a big difference. A difference we are to attend to.

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

(Hebrews 3:12-15 ESV)

The complexities of the book of Hebrews aside, I just don’t think you’re going to go wrong giving heed to exhortations to the “brethren” (3:12 NKJV). The author of Hebrews is contending not just for the faith but also for the “faithful” — wanting all those who have “tasted the heavenly gift” (Heb. 6:4) to continue to feast on that heavenly gift.

So, to read and receive “take care” is a good word for me to consider this morning. To intentionally beware of any tendencies towards an “unbelieving heart” is prudent advice. To “exhort one another daily” to keep on keepin’ on is just smart thinking for the family of God. To hear afresh that I must resist the callousness caused by the “deceitfulness of sin” and repent at the first sign of a hardening heart evidenced by rebellion is needful. Because I know that every day I awake, it is to a fresh battle between the new man and the old (Gal. 5:16-17).

But beyond the sound counsel, it’s the reminder of an amazing truth that grabs me this morning and fills my soul with fresh awe and wonder. For we have come to share in Christ . . .

There’s a number of ways we might describe ourselves as believers, but how often do we refer to ourselves as those who have come to share in Christ? Or, as rendered in other translations, as “partakers of Christ” (NASB, NKJV)? As “participants in Christ” (CSB)? As “participators of Messiah” (WNT)? Not too often. But chew on it a bit . . .

Brethren! Sister-en! We are sharers in Christ! Partakers and participants of Jesus. Participators in all that the Son of God is (2Peter 1:4) and in all that the King of Kings is about (Hebrews 3:1). We are not lone wolves trying to gut out a righteous way of life, but we are “more than conquerors” through Him who loved us because nothing is able “to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-30). In Christ Jesus . . . did you see that? Did you catch that? How big is that? Pretty big! We are in Christ. We are partakers of Christ as we’ve come to be sharers in Christ. And nothing can separate us from that sharing dynamic.

Not mere spectators, but active participants. Not just receivers of a gift, but those who get to interact with that gift through His indwelling Spirit. Encounters of the divine kind being our normative state because “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

Sharers in Christ. Partaking of Him and participants in Him. That’s what awaits this day.

Bring it on!

By His grace. For His glory.

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A Conduit (2020 Rerun)

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Pete

It really was a big ask on Paul’s part. Receive back a runaway slave as a brother. No punishment, though it was due. No making him an example before the others slaves, though it would have been prudent. No demanding restitution for whatever monetary loss was incurred from his insurrection, though it would have been just. Nope, nothing owing. Just receive again into his house Onesimus. And that, as he would have received Paul himself — think guest room, hospitality, fellowship, drink, food, and fireside chats. Yup, Paul’s ask of Philemon was a really big ask.

And yet, Paul’s letter isn’t written with the tone of a “hail Mary pass.” Not just tossing up some outlandish idea in a last ditch, wishful effort to mediate reconciliation. Not desperately hoping that Philemon might pick up on what he’s trying to lay down. But writing with confidence, pretty sure that Philemon was going to run with his recommended, unprecedented behavior — pretty sure that Philemon would even exceed expectations (Phm. 1:21). And how come? Because Philemon had a reputation for being a conduit — a conduit for refreshing hearts.

For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. . . . Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

(Philemon 1:7, 21 ESV)

Refresh. To give rest. To cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labor in order to recover and collect his strength. Thus, to refresh the heart is to set it at ease. To interrupt, if only temporarily, the inner turbulence of concern and anxiety. To provide respite for the weary soul. To intervene in such a way that the storm calms down and the raging sea becomes placid. Philemon loved the people of God, engaged the people of God, and in some manner brought rest, respite, and revitalization to the hearts of the people of God.

But what catches my attention this morning is that Philemon was not the source of refreshment, but the conduit. The hearts of the saints had been refreshed, not by him, but through him. Even as Paul anticipated being the recipient of such refreshing when Philemon graciously received Onesmius back as a brother. Paul knew that such respite of heart would come through Philemon in Christ.

Philemon had the means. And, he was willing. He opened his home, loved on the saints, even received back an AWOL bondservant. But the rest and revitalization realized by others, though it came through Philemon, was sourced in Christ. Philemon was but the conduit for refreshing hearts.

That’s why we’re told to “contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Rom. 12:13). So that Christ might provide some rest for revved up souls. It’s why we are exhorted to do good to everyone, “especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). So that the Good Shepherd might provide some still waters for weary sheep.

Sure, we benefit from being obedient to the ask. We eventually reap the reward of sowing seeds of good deeds (Gal. 6:9). But the reason we’re called to such acts of kindness is so that the Spirit of God might refresh the hearts of the people of God. Refueling running-on-empty tanks. Being used of God to renew the inner man, the inner woman, of other laboring sojourners.

A conduit of Christ. A pipeline of Holy Spirit power. Realized through our love for the saints. Possible by simply opening our hearts and homes to others. Not out of compulsion, but of our own free accord (Phm. 1:14).

Refreshing hearts in Christ. Christ refreshing hearts through us.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Stirring Up Division

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Pete

I have a friend who refers to it as “Chad.” As in, “Let me ask Chad about that.” And he asks Chad about a lot. All the time, it seems. Chad is ChatGPT.

I don’t have a ChatGPT account yet, but my friend — as well as some other friends who are also on a first name basis with Chad — has certainly opened me up to the possibilities Chad brings and I’ve been increasingly asking Chad questions and having Chad do a few things (mostly book summaries) over recent months. This morning marks the first time Chad has been consulted during my morning meal.

What did I want Chad’s “insight” on? The difference between division and polarization.

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

(Titus 3:10-11 ESV)

A person who stirs up division . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning. Especially in light of a culture that is commonly referred to today as “polarizing.”

As I hover over this exhortation I think to myself, “Self, because we now use the language of polarization, have we failed to recognize the sin of division?” “Well,” I say back to myself, “we have if being polarizing is the same as being divisive.” At that point, I think to myself, “Let me ask Chad about that.”

Division? “A state of disagreement or separation between people or groups, which may or may not be extreme.” Polarization? “The process by which opinions or positions become more extreme and move toward opposite ends of a spectrum.” The analogy Chad offers is that if division is like a crack forming in a surface which pushes people apart, polarization is like a magnet pulling people to opposite poles. My takeaway? They are the same thing, differentiated only by a matter of degree and intensity.

So, would it be fair to replace “stirs up division” with “is polarizing” in Paul’s exhortation to Titus as an appropriate application? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Being polarizing is sin. Engaging in polarization is sin. It’s warped, twisted, subversive. As the people of God, we should have nothing to do with it.

While we may not be surprised that the world about us has embraced it, we should be alarmed if this more extreme and intense form of separation is finding its incorporation within the church.

Sure, the specific context for the plea to Titus is about avoiding “foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws” (Titus 3:9 NLT), but is it any less foolish to get sucked into factious debates about worldly identities and ideology which so often serve only to dampen and even war against the eagerness we are to have “to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3)? Thinkin’ it’s very much the same thing.

Stirring up division. We should have nothing to do with it.

Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing.

(2Corinthians 6:17 ESV)

Be separate from them . . .

If there’s ever an area where, though we are in the world, we are not to be of the world, stirring up division is it. And that just might be healthy polarization. Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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Show Perfect Courtesy

Posted on August 20, 2025 by Pete

Pause and chew on them a bit, and the first eight verses of Titus 3 are like drinking from a fire hose (I know, I’ve mixed my metaphors . . . maybe I should have said it’s like gorging yourself at a buffet).

There’s another one of those “but God” verses (v.4), having a similar ring to Ephesians 2:4, washing over me with similar waves of wonder, awe, and blessing. Despite who we once were, “foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy” (v.3), the “goodness” of God appeared to save us. Clearly not because of any “works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy” (v. 5a).

Then there’s the mechanics of salvation laid out (v. 5b-7). The negative operation of washing us of our filth through regeneration and the positive operation of renovating us by the Holy Spirit. The Triune dynamic of God the Father pouring out on us richly God the Spirit through God the Son (v.6). Talk about heaven meeting earth in a jaw-dropping manner and with a life-changing impact! And it happened to this guy in this chair!

But wait, there’s more. Having been “justified by grace”, I’ve also become an heir. Regeneration and renewal being the means of adoption, and adoption becoming the right to own as my mine “the hope of eternal life” (v.7).

But here’s the thing — actually the two things — that hit home this morning. First, Paul wants Titus to keep hooking up God’s people to this gospel fire hose — to keep sending them to the bounty of salvation’s buffet table — so that they would “be careful to devote themselves to good works” (3:8). That’s what Titus 2 and 3 have been all about, good works. About teaching “what accords with sound doctrine” (2:1). About how God’s people should live in light of the gospel “so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (3:10).

The second thing is the context of these fire hose verses that have been washing over me.

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

(Titus 3:1-2 ESV)

Show perfect courtesy toward all people . . . that’s the main course this morning. That’s a command to obey.

And the Spirit through Titus says we are to do what God has commanded because we ourselves were once foolish . . . BUT the goodness of God our Savior appeared . . . and we were saved, washed, and renewed . . . justified by grace . . . so that we might be heirs of eternal life . . . so that we would be careful to devote ourselves to good works. And in this particular case, I see those “good works” summed up in this command: Show perfect courtesy.

Not toward some people. But toward all people. Those in our tribe and those outside our tribe. Those aligned with our views, those not so aligned. Those who are sinners saved by grace, just like as, and those who may yet be sinners saved by grace, as we once were.

Show perfect courtesy toward all people. It’s not compromise, it’s commanded. It’s not weak, it’s meek. It’s not woke, it’s the Way.

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.

(2Timothy 2:24-25)

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. . . . But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

(James 1:19-20, 3:17)

Like I said, a lot to chew on. Sort of like drinking from a fire hose.

Such is God’s grace — grace received, grace reciprocated.

All for God’s glory.

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Reproof

Posted on August 19, 2025 by Pete

As far as Old Testament words go, it’s not all that common. As far as wisdom goes, I’m thinking it’s kind of a big deal.

A fool despises his father’s instruction,
       but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
       whoever hates reproof will die.

The ear that listens to life-giving reproof
       will dwell among the wise.

Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,
       but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.

(Proverbs 15:5, 10, 31, 32 ESV)

Reproof . . . that’s the word served up this morning.

The Hebrew word translated “reproof” occurs 28 times in the Old Testament. Of those 28 occurrences, the ESV renders the word as “reproof” 15 times. The next most common rendering? Rebuke. Of the 15 “reproofs” in the ESV OT, 13 are found in Proverbs. Of those 13, 4 are found here in Proverbs 15.

Naturally speaking, reproof probably landed on my plate because of its repetition. Supernaturally speaking? I’ve got to believe it’s the Spirit. Repetition is the Spirit wanting to make a point. Picking up on that repetition is the Spirit wanting to make the point to me. Word of God speak, I’m all ears.

Also naturally speaking, you’re not going to find “reproof” on my list of favorite words — no matter how long that list is. You won’t find “rebuke” either. How come? Because I’m still fighting the flesh, because pride is something that is never far from rearing its head, receiving correction so often rubs like coarse sandpaper. And I’m not much of a fan of coarse sandpaper.

But if I have ears to hear what the Spirit has to say this morning, though it might not be a favorite word, it should be a valued dynamic in my life.

If I want to be characterized as prudent, marked by good sense — and I do; if I want to dwell among the wise, being at home with those who are skilled in navigating life — and I do; if I want to be marked as someone who gains intelligence, whose heart, soul, and mind are constantly being wired so that every inclination is a godly inclination — and I do; then having an ear ready to listen to reproof is not only the right thing to do, it’s a beneficial thing to do. It’s a life-giving thing to do. (Hating reproof? Well, the Teacher is clear that hating reproof just isn’t going to end well.)

As I chew on reproof this morning, I know I need to make preparation to listen to reproof. (Did I mention it doesn’t come naturally?) I also know I can’t do that prep work on my own. While I can purpose to put down pride and seek to humble myself, it is the Spirit’s work in me that will ultimately enable me to embrace reproof as, in fact, life-giving and to believe that reproof really is an integral means of growing in wisdom.

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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Remember Me

Posted on August 18, 2025 by Pete

It’s the two-word prayer that hits me every time I wrap up reading Nehemiah. A two-word prayer that almost always leaves me a little uncomfortable. A two-word prayer that feels self-serving at first, but which, after considering the character of the one praying it, fleshes out as but the inevitable petition of someone who has worked so hard at leading and building for God’s glory. The prayer of someone who has successfully built a wall which stands fast but has come up short as part of a people which have proved so fickle.

Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service.

Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love.

Remember me, O my God, for good.

(Nehemiah 13:14, 22b, 31b ESV)

Remember me . . . Not the first time I’ve chewed on this two-word prayer.

But as I go back and read my Nehemiah 13 journal entries in 2011 and 2024, I remain convinced that these aren’t just the prayers of a flawed, self-centered, ego-driven leader. That’s not who Nehemiah was. Instead, they are the prayers of a faithful cupbearer who was called to a formidable task and was willing to try and lead a somewhat flakey people. Walls are easy to rebuild. People’s godliness? Not so much.

So, at the end of the day, when Nehemiah looks back and sees a measure of success evidenced by the rock wall surrounding the city and yet still sees the mess of a flesh-enslaved, heart-hardened people within the city, what’s left, in a sense, but to pray before the God who has called you to such a great work, “Remember me?” I can almost hear the words of Paul in this prayer: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2Tim. 4:7).

Under a covenant of works, the only basis for asking God to “Remember me” would be how hard you’ve fought, how fast you’ve run, how well you’ve kept on keeping on. God’s blessing tied to your labor. God’s favor found in your best efforts to reestablish God’s kingdom by rebuilding a wall and by reforming a people.

But Nehemiah could see that, despite all his efforts, a rebuilt wall wasn’t enough to reform a people. He could see that his attempts at mandating and enforcing obedience fell far short of achieving revival. And so, as God looks upon a people who still cozy up to the enemy (13:7); who are still neglecting the temple (13:10); who are still doing business on the Sabbath (13:15); and who are still binding themselves to the world (13:2); Nehemiah’s prayer really is a prayer for God’s grace.

So, is it a foreshadowing of another “remember me” prayer?

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at [Jesus], saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

(Luke 23:39-42 ESV)

Remember me . . .

Not for what I’ve done, but in spite of what I’ve done. Not for my successes, but because of Your sacrifice. Not because I’ve been faithful, because You are faithful.

Nehemiah wasn’t vying for God’s favor because he thought he deserved it, he was praying for God’s favor because He could see he didn’t.

Casting himself upon God’s grace.

Doing all he did — even praying, “Remember me” — for God’s glory.

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Forgiven. Not Forgotten

Posted on August 14, 2025 by Pete

Okay, here’s one of those thoughts that I think is a valid thought but, to be honest, as I type this I’m kind of hearing it put this way for the first time myself. If not entirely correct, it’s at least something to chew on. The thought? God forgives but He doesn’t forget — and neither should we.

What’s prompting this thought this morning? Nehemiah 9.

Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the LORD their God.

(Nehemiah 9:1-3 ESV)

How’s that for a Sunday morning service that’s gone a bit over time? Six hours of bible, six hours of confession and worship? And the rest of Nehemiah 9 records some of that confession — and it is stuff that’s been confessed and repented of before. Nehemiah 9 has a familiar ring, reminding me of other OT passages that recount the deliverance of Israel and the iniquities of their fathers. One of those passages rehearsing again Israel’s history as marked by a repeated cycle of Israel’s rebellion, God’s just retribution, Israel’s repentance, and God’s gracious restoration.

“Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against You and cast Your law behind their back and killed Your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to You, and they committed great blasphemies. Therefore You gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to You and You heard them from heaven, and according to Your great mercies You gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies. But after they had rest they did evil again before You and You abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them. Yet when they turned and cried to You, You heard from heaven, and many times You delivered them according to Your mercies . . . in Your great mercies You did not make an end of them or forsake them, for You are a gracious and merciful God.”

(Nehemiah 9:26-28, 31b ESV)

The purpose would seem clear, rehearsing the sins of the past has a way of keeping you humble in the present and of helping you achieve your desire to not repeat those sins in the future. To confess what’s already been confessed has a way of reminding us of our always present need for a forgiving God and has a way of refueling within us worship for a gracious and merciful God.

And yet, from my perspective, rarely is confession of past sins found in our corporate gatherings. Maybe because it’s not found as often as it should be in my personal times with the LORD. And that perhaps because we know that when we confess our sins He is just and faithful to forgive us our sins (1Jn. 1:9), but also think that when we confess our sins God forgets our sins and thus, so should we. But does He?

Maybe we get the idea that God forgets our sins from a verse like Psalm 103:12. But it doesn’t say that God forgets our sin. Instead it assures us of the distance God puts between us and our sin — putting off sin’s guilt and shame and eternal consequence “as far as the east is from the west.” Our sin forgiven, but not necessarily forgotten.

So, for me to again recall and remember my transgression is to again wonder and worship at just how far the east is from the west — what an infinite space it is — and to, in some measure, “have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is” (Eph. 3:18 NLT).

Is it okay to suggest that while our sins are forgiven, they should not be forgotten? Not that the sins of our past would be brought up repeatedly by our enemy, the Accuser, to harass us, but that they would be used instead by the Spirit to ever humble us. Not that we would live again in the shame, but that we would celebrate afresh the Savior.

Our sins — forgiven, not forgotten.

That we might always abide in His grace. That we might never cease to give Him the glory.

Make sense?

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