Beech Tree News Network

Humans are pretty forgetful! The events, places, and sayings we once thought would be forever etched in our memories have faded with time. I am sure we’re all familiar with the old joke that goes: “I was always told that when you get old, the first thing to go is your memory. And, the second thing to go is … is … is …”. While there is something to be said for forgetfulness and one’s memory not being as “sharp” as it once was, I am confident that with many it is “selective” memory that is the problem, rather than actual “forgetfulness.” I say this because often it is those who tell me that their mind is “too old” to remember Scriptures or even Scripture references that amazingly can recall sports scores, recipes, shoe sizes, birth/death dates, “who” did “what” to “whom” and “when,” etc. We can remember what we want to remember and retain what we think is most important.

When one reads the Old Testament, we see that Israel also had a problem with “selective memory.” Just a little over two months after leaving Egypt, the people began to complain about not having food to eat (Ex. 16:2-3). One wonders how it could be that a people whom God had delivered, had protected from their enemies, brought them out of Egypt safely, and were being led toward the Promised Land could then “murmur” against this same God about a lack of food! How forgetful these people were!

Yet, doesn’t the same thing happen today with us? Are there not times in our lives when our faith wavered and we strayed from the Lord, thinking He was either not there or that He wasn’t listening or caring for us? How forgetful we are, considering that He created us (Rev. 4:11), sent His Son to die for us (Jn. 3:16), has given us a plan of salvation by which we can be saved (Mk. 16:16), has provided a way of escape when we are tempted (I Cor. 10:13), and wants us to be with Him in Heaven (II Pet. 3:9; Jn. 14:1-3). How tragic that we push these facts to the side when things do not seem to go “our” way. Let us repent of our “selective memory” and ask God to forgive us today!

Knowing that humans are forgetful, our Lord established a memorial through which we “show the Lord’s death til he come” (I Cor. 11:26). It is to be done every first day of the week (Acts 20:7; etc.). This memorial is the partaking of the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 26:26-28; I Cor. 11:23-28). May we never become complacent or have “selective memory” about this memorial. By focusing our minds on the Lord during this memorial on the Lord’s Day, may this help us to focus on the Lord during the rest of the week. May we remember to “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17). May we not forget that because He died for us, we need to live for Him (II Cor. 5:14-15). Friends, read and re-read Romans 12:1-2!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167