Scripture memorization was a prominent part of my early Bible education. I’m sure I’m not alone—Bible drills, anyone? And what a memory I had back then. I could recite anything from short verses, like “Jesus wept” to whole chapters. I was a whiz at Bible trivia. I could even recite the books of the Bible in canonical order, forward and backward. (Sidenote: Don’t ask me to do that now!)
Being immersed in the Bible at a young age created a fondness and enthusiasm for Scripture that has developed through the years into a love and deep affection for God’s Word. Somewhere along the way as I matured in my faith journey, I realized that committing Scripture to memory wasn’t about winning prizes or the satisfaction of accurately quoting a lengthy passage. It was more than just recalling a verse to apply to any given situation in my life. It was about getting to know God through His Word. It was about aligning my daily thoughts and actions with His instructions.
LORD, I remember your name in the night, and I obey your instruction.
—Psalm 119:55
Remembrance is an intentional and ongoing rhythm. In every season, in every circumstance, we’re called to remember God’s instruction. We remember His Word to continually remind ourselves of who God is and who we are in Him. When we don’t actively and intentionally remember God’s instruction, we risk the danger of forgetting.
In today’s reading, we discover that a whole community had forgotten God’s instruction. This was the God who had brought the nation of Israel through their biggest hurdles and established His law among them. If anyone knew what remembrance looked like, it would be the people of God. Yet here we are at another point in their history where they’ve actively forgotten Him. And that forgetfulness led to disobedience (2Kings 22:13).
We, too, are prone to forget, to engage in actions that don’t align with God’s Word. But instead of turning us away, God continually calls for us to respond to Him with repentance and return to Him. To love and obey Him. To remember.
I’m glad today’s reading doesn’t just include God’s people’s failure of forgetting. I’m glad we get to discover that the king and the people committed themselves to wholeheartedly following the Lord. I’m glad we get to read about the rededication and renewal that comes with remembering God and His Word.
But how do we keep His Word? How do we consistently remember Him when forgetting seems to come so easily? We look to God to help us. And He will! Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit “will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you” (John 14:26).
I always want to remember and obey God’s instruction so that, in my remembrance, I’m reminded of the neverending nearness of His presence (v.23).
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36 thoughts on "We Remember Your Instruction"
App still isn’t working, very frustrating, I cancelled my subscription today and will wait a while before trying to get it again.
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Hi Michelle! We were experiencing a glitch in the App that has now been resolved. If you continue to experience trouble or need help re-enrolling into subscription box when you’re ready, please feel free to reach out to our Community Engagement Team at [email protected]. We’re so grateful for you!
Any updates on the app? It’s still broken. Are we going to be reimbursed for all this time we’ve paid for and haven’t been able to use?
Praying for God’s will in your situation with your husband @Mercy. I cannot imagine the pain and confusion and guilt or grief that you are dealing with right now. Many Hugs to you sweet sister. This is a nightmare that I wish you did not have to go thru.
This study has been amazing and could not have come at a better time for all of us no matter what we are suffering thru. Once again I am REMINDED of God’s love and provision even as we deal with a suicide of a loved one and thinking what possible good can come of that? But God…..He will comfort you thru the Holy Spirit. Keep your head up and know that God sees your family and you. He hurts with you. Don’t lose hope.
❤️
@Mercy ❤️ – The Lord be exalted over your husband and your home. I don’t know if your husband knows the Word, but maybe it would help to speak specific scriptures over him that combat theses lies. Scriptures that give him hope and trust God’s ways above His own?
Praying the Lord would guide you both and give you wisdom. The enemy can form weapons but they shall not prosper, in Jesus’s name. Praying you take heart and hold tight to His word. I pray peace of mind, wisdom, and patience to your husband. May he truly understand his eternal and priceless value to the Lord. May he look at Jesus’s sacrifice and know that was for him and that Jesus truly loves him, no matter how his heart feels. May he feel his ever present grace and mercy. I pray for your children that they’d have wisdom, strength, and patience, as well. God be with you all.
I grew up Catholic, 12 years of Catholic school with nuns. Bible memorization in my day wasn’t taught. We read stories, not a full book of the Bible and only read the New testament in HS. I changed faith when I was almost 31, “late to the table”. Attending and being active when I changed for the past 45 years. Try as I might, memorization is really hard for me, so I accept this and surprisingly when I reread a scripture, some parts I just automatically say. Prayers peace for those caring for loved ones. Healing g in marriages and with children. Mercy I hope your family reaches out for counseling, this is difficult to go through alone. Rachel your comments made me smile . CAT-TEE I was silent for a long time not feeling I had a lot to share. Glad you stepped forward. Sisters, starting Wednesday I have been called to jury duty and would ask for prayers if I ‘m chosen to actively serve. I probably won’t be on SRT until night. Blessings
“I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD”. “And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant.”
I just love these verses in 2 Kings. The Book of the Law is found, not in the library, but in the house of God. It made me day dream of a beautiful vision, what if everyone finds the book of the law and treasured it. If all presidents and prime ministers, political leaders, family leaders, leaders in any capacity know this book of the law. The Bible needs to be taught in school to little children who will be the future leaders. The Bible needs to be taught in law school to all those who will practice law. How different would our world be? It is an incredible vision. A world that is filled with God-fearing leaders, with God-honoring policies and regulations. May we be the Word Keeper, we keep His Word because we love Him. And we love Him for He loved us first. All by His grace. Lest we forget.
Ladies, I am asking for prayers for my husband today. He has been dealing with recurring suicidal thoughts. I would appreciate your prayers over his mind, over the preservation of his life, and over me and our three kids fighting along this battle silently. May the Lord shift the atmosphere in our home, our mind and rid him of the lure to end it all. Thank you so much for standing in the gap with us.
Be blessed dear sisters.
Happy Monday ladies! I’m struggling to come on here since the app is still not working. God bless all of you who continue to come on here every day. Praying for you all to have a great week!
@Kris, thank you so much for your encouraging words. I’m on my 10 minute break and I came here to relax and then I read your message. Yours was the first comment that I saw. Thank you. This means a lot to me! In July it will be seven years that I left. Followed by a restraining order, and then me getting plugged into celebrate recovery.. i’ve come along ways, and it’s all because of my Jesus! And people like you praying.
SHARON, JERSEY GIRL – Praying that your sister Arian finds a job that fits her ❤️ Continued prayers for your prodigals ❤️
MICHELLE – I am glad you wrote what you wrote. God’s Word is/has power ❤️
KRIS – So true! ❤️
TRICIA C – Praying that you hear God’s voice clearly ❤️
CAT-TEE – Nice to see you! ❤️
THERESA – Glad Arlo is doing well and that he goes back to school! ❤️
SEARCHING – Thank you for the reminder of being intentional ❤️
TINA – Repeating your prayer ❤️
KELLY NEO, LAURA DIANNE, ERB, ADRIENNE, RHONDA J, CEE GEE, ANNIE, MARI V, TRACI GENDRON, RACHEL, ALLISON BENTLEY – Thank you all for your comments ❤️
“But how do we keep His Word? How do we consistently remember Him when forgetting seems to come so easily? We look to God to help us. And He will!” Thank you, Tameshia ❤️
I was feeling down this weekend for no particular reason. It annoys me because I know I have all I need. But somehow I was not feeling that in my heart. Without noticing, I slowly drifted away… How easy to forget Lord in times like that and to look for distractions elsewhere.
I went back to Psalm 23 and read, meditated and prayed until my heart found peace in God. Grateful that I can always come back to Him.
Dear Father,
Help us to remember.
Help us to love you and keep your commands.
Help us to be women who can say: “I am so happy: I have the Lord Jesus in my heart!”
AMEN
MARI V: I know exactly how you feel. And quite honestly, I am not sure God requires us to always pray for everyone who has hurt us so. I know scripture says to pray for our enemies, but does it say to pray constantly or every day? I think we can pray for God to bless our enemies with repentance and salvation. And then wait for the prompting of the Holy Spirit on how often to pray. I think what’s more important is that we pray for healing for ourselves, and let God take care of the other person. As you become more healed from that relationship, you will be able to pray more for their repentance and salvation and it won’t hurt. But if you are still raw, if it’s still too painful, I really don’t think it’s a requirement. I think there is a grace period when we go thru divorce that God just wants us to reclaim who we are, get our footing, find our new identity. But if you are feeling led to pray for him, all you have to pray for is that he would repent and be saved. It doesn’t have to be a long, drawn out prayer. God hears us, no matter how short it is. Give yourself some grace. Give yourself some time to heal. I’ve been divorced now for about 14 years. The first 10 years were miserable, but as I allowed healing to come, I can actually be in the same room with my ex and not be bothered. His mother recently died and I was in her room the day before with the family, I sat with the family at the funeral. Healing does come. Restoration of your own spirit does come. I do not ever anticipate being restored to my ex, but I no longer live in fear or rejection or pain because of him. GOD is now my father and my husband, and He has proven over and over again that He will never leave me or norsake me or cheat on me.
What beautiful readings and testimonies today- thank you Tameshia for reminding us the “remembrance is an intentional and ongoing rhythm”. Something I am struggling with is the obedience part- Psalm 119:55 hit home today and I pray that I not only remember but obey Your instruction! Lastly I couldn’t help but think of the movie Book of Eli with Denzel Washington while reading today. This is a secular movie about the end of civilization BUT is sooo good and has convicted me for years about scripture memorization!!! If you guys have time it’s definitely worth the watch!!! ☮️❤️ to you all on this beautiful Monday!!!
Someone else mentioned here about sometimes we don’t remember things, and that it was God’s way of protecting our minds. And even our memories. There’s a few things from my marriage that I just don’t “remember“ and I remember my friend Gretchen, telling me it was just God‘s way of protecting my mind and memories. There are many times, I wish I could just erase it out of my mind completely when those horrible memories come to mind.
I pray hard ask God to help me through it.
I’m going to be very open and honest here. I still have a very hard time praying for the man I once called husband.
How do we always remember God and His word? I am no great theologian but I think we are doing it by staying in His word, asking God daily to speak to us through His Word. Being still to listen, talking to God daily. Yes, sometimes we may just go through the motions but we are still putting it into our spirit.
When we feel dissatisfied, that is just our sign that we need more of Him.
”As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?“
Psalms 42:1-2 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.42.1-2.NIV
We try to fill our lives with so many things but only God can fill that longing in our heart.
Praying for all of you! Show grace to others but also to yourself.
I imagine the workers pulling the scrolls out of a pile of debris, blowing off years of dust and wondering if the rolled parchment should go to the “keep” or “throw away” pile. What grace that led the men to keep the precious scrolls! And that same grace meets me daily, enables me to keep my Word from getting dusty. Every single time we read in scripture of God’s people forgetting to remember there are catastrophic results. Lord, please help me to DAILY call to mind all that you are, all that you have done. Where else would I go? You have the words of eternal life, and only in you will I be joyfully satisfied.
Good morning sisters! …Every time I read the passage in 2 Kings 22:8-13, I am amazed at the reaction and response of the king! It reminded me this morning of Hebrews 4:12 – How truly powerful the word of God is – it has the power to change our hearts and lives, praise God!
John 14:23-26 gives me all the more reason to thank God. My 2 prodigal adult sons memorized lots of scripture when they were young. They may have forgotten at the moment, but I am confident that it is locked away in their hearts and memories somewhere. My constant prayer is that God will bring what they heard and learned all those years ago, to the forefronts of their minds – and that one day they will remember the goodness, mercy and grace of God!
Praise God that He did not leave us to ourselves, but sent the Counselor, the Holy Spirit to reside in us – to make His home in us, and He daily teaches us and reminds us of everything we have learned.
@Sarah D. – I am glad that you were able to “let go” of the guy who was not pursuing you. Praying for you still…and if this other guy is indeed pursuing you, that God will make that fully known and bring it all to be.
@Lanie – praising God with you for your friends healthy baby girl after suffering such a great loss.
@Tami C. – thank you for sharing that amazing testimony concerning your brother BJ. Thank you God for hearing, answering and healing!!
@Laura Diane – continued prayers that your daughter will “return” to you. May God be working mightily in her heart.
@Theresa – praise God that Arlo is doing really well – well enough to return to school! Continued prayers for his full recovery.
@Tricia C. – Praying that God will give you the wisdom as you seek His will in using your nursing degree in other ways, and that you will be able to be more involved in your community.
@Traci Gendron – Pioneer girls – wow! I haven’t heard that name for MANY years, I also went to Pioneer Girls waaay back when! Thanks for the memory!
@Kelly Neo – thank you for asking about my sister Arian’s job situation. She has not yet found full time work. There is a war school in the area that she really hopes to find employment at. She has a friend that works at it and constantly sends her the “help wanteds” but it seems with each job listed she lacks something in experience. She really wants to work here and the pay is very, very good. Praying that the Lord opens a job she is skilled in at this place.
Happy Monday my sweet sisters, from the North East!
@Rhonda J. I love when you said that we still have to be intentional, purposeful, trained to put the word on our hearts, to have a relationship with our Almighty Father God! Well said, thank you. And that’s what I meant as I never ever want to forget how Faithful our God is even when life is hard, our God is still good!
TINA – I too can look back and see God working in my life. I just wasn’t paying attention at the time. I fell in love with God in grade school. I went to something called Pioneer Girls with a friend. My mom told me it was a bad church and I couldn’t continue to go. We were raised catholic. As my brother and I were older and could drive ourselves we would say we were going to late mass, but would go get donuts and go to the park. From there on it was a downward spiral. I chose to drink in high school. I was promiscuous. I was the queen of recklessness. I didn’t stop for years.
BUT GOD…TINA He was following me. He was gently pulling me back to Him.
Thank you sweet sister for always sharing your heart with us. Hugs from across the pond…
@Tami C- keep sharing your brother’s miracle story ❤️ it has the power to change lives!
I have been trying to memorize all of Psalm 119… When May hits, it will be two years since embarking on this journey of memorizing it. It is a slow paced, compared to others.
A story I remember is a pastor teaching a group of Chinese people who had been imprisoned for sharing Christ.
They were at one of his events and when he asked to open to a specific Bible passage, one of the women decided she didn’t need the Bible handed out to her and passed it along to someone there who didn’t receive one (there were only so many to go around).
The pastor stopped teaching and asked why she didn’t need her Bible. The woman explained that in prison, they’d pass around passages of Scripture in secret. They had to quickly memorize the Scripture, in case the guards found them studying and confiscated it.
She had memorized a whole book of the Bible. I forget which one he was teaching on. So she didn’t need her Bible that day. She told the pastor that the guards can take their papers, but they can’t take what is hidden in their hearts.
That story stuck with me.
Although I am memorizing a whole chapter of the Bible, I always feel in my Spirit that there’s always so much more to remember. I constantly write down verses that stick out to me, in hopes my spirit will remember some of it from my repetition. We all can do better at memorizing. This is a war and it truly is the shield, sword, helmet, breastplate (Ephesians 6) — we need every bit of it to get us through. After being led astray by false teachings in my twenties, the Lord has really convicted me to set my heart on His Word. I need it. Otherwise, I am hanging on by a thread.
Lol, didn’t mean to write a novel today but feel strongly about this.
❤️
Argh..I have the worst memory. At least when it comes to the important things. I can remember a grievance like it was yesterday. Why???
I don’t want to study the Bible like it is something to check off my list. I want to know and live God’s word. Why do I study and turn around and life like I never opened His great book? I have often said that I forget to remember.
God please help me to have recall. To remember Your Word. To live it. Please continually call me to repent. To love and obey.
Good morning sweet She’s and Happy Monday. I resonated with Tameshia’s last sentence. “I’m reminded of the neverending nearness of HIS presence.” I never want to forget. NEVER! During those dark and lonely and very scary times, I know I was not alone. I’m grateful for the Holy Spirit to prompt us to “remember.”
So thankful for God’s nearness and presence.
TAMESIA said, “When we don’t actively and intentionally remember God’s instruction, we risk the danger of forgetting.”
As I read the devo and the Scriptures, I was reminded that I have the opportunity to remember(and the Holy Spirit’s help) before EVERY decision that I make- no matter how small or large- not only God’s instructions but also the consequences of disobeying those instructions. EVERY decision!
This passage in 2 Kings is, to me, one of the most touching in the whole Bible and I am perplexed about why it isn’t preached from the pulpit. I don’t recall ever hearing it in a sermon, yet every time I read it, it touches my heart and challenges my spirit.
John 14:26 – thank you, TAMESHIA, for expressing in the devo exactly what I thought as I read that! Like, Tameshia I was able to remember a lot when I was young, but now my best intentions don’t bring the success I desire. V. 26 was a balm to my spirit this morning!
Prayers for all needs as we enter a new week of fellowship and study!
CAT-TEE – Glad you stepped out! ❤
TAMI C – Powerful provision and results! Praise God and thank you for sharing! ❤
SEARCHING – ❤
RHONDA J ❤
All I can say to this is this: When I remember God’s Word, it goes well with me. When I don’t remember God’s Word, I end up in trouble. When I remember to do things the way God wants me to, I never regret it. When I don’t remember to do things the way God wants me to, I always regret it.
GM She’s!
How wonderful that we have a bible. It is so easy to take for granted, that we have God’s word to us, to learn, meditate, ingest, apply, share. We have devotionals and websites like SRT, we can easily access and read and talk with each other. Yet…We still have to be intentional, purposeful, trained to put the word on our hearts, to have a relationship with our Almighty Father God! The thread that is woven through the old testament is the stiff-necked Israelites that want to do it their own way and forgetting God’s laws. They forget what He has done, what He lays out in order for them to stay close to Him and so do we.
I am forgetful. I have trouble retaining things. But God…a relationship with Him makes those laws and promises stay close, because of the Counselor. We should be living with the Power daily, in the caus, in our trouble, in our weariness, in our HAPPINESS! He is our joy, He is our peace, the armor we wrap ourselves in daily.
Have a good Monday..and come to our FB page and tell us the best part of your wkd!
Yes SEARCHING! Intentional! And TINA, thank you for remembering. They are insight and helpful to so many of us.
There is a lot that I don’t remember. My husband and I were high school sweethearts before we went our separate ways and then found each other again 26 years later. I don’t remember a lot of our time in high school. A few things here and there. He remembers everything. It really makes me feel bad sometimes. Sometimes I wonder if not, remembering some things is the way of the Lord protecting us from things that happened. My high school years were all that great at times. But God…
Holy Spirit, fill me with your fire. Allow me to remember how much you love me. Lord, help me to remember all of the things that you have rescued me from and done for me in my life. Amen.
If I could just ask a small favor well maybe it’s a big favor. I am really feeling the Lord calling me to do something else in my nursing career. But I’m not sure. Would you please pray that he shows me somehow. Someway that I’ll understand what he wants for me. I really want to be more involved in community and I just need for him to show me how. Thank you.
Have a blessed day, Sisters.❤️
Lord, let me not be like the Israelites. They forgot and then forgot and then forgot and… And then they remembered only when Your book was found. (Surely, there must have been SOME remnant that didn’t forget?)
Let Your word be found in my heart always and let it live in me always and keep me in remembrance of You always!
May we choose to see God wherever we look today, and always!! Big blessings and many prayers to each of you!!
John 14:23-24
*What stood out to me first was that Jesus referred to Himself and the Father as We and Our. This makes me look at and see God differently, in such a GOOD way!! He is multifaceted. And I need to keep reminding myself NOT to put Him in a box!!
**the second thing that stood out and really hit me deeply was “We will make Our home with him.” Wow!! Just, WOW!!! ..May we love God in a way where He wants to come and make His home with and in us!! Amen.
2 Kings 23:3
*what stands out to me here is that ALL the people from the youngest and oldest, to the rich and poor, to the righteous and unrighteous… ALL of them once they heard the covenant AGREED in UNISON to follow it!!! This meant that the things they knew and were familiar with for generations were no longer going to be part of their lives, a definitive and complete life change!! Can you even imagine?!! Wow!!! May we be like these people!! Coming together in unity, hearing the word of God and dropping everything to follow it, and Him!! God is THE unifier!! May we submit ourselves to Him and let Him reign and rule.. especially in our lives!! Amen.
Thank you Holy Spirit, for speaking to me and iinstructing me not only through Your word, but through the insights, sharing, and prayers of my SRT sisters. Amen
Grateful for this community and challenging myself to push out of my comfort zone of silent observer to “sharer.” Happy Monday all ❤️
The Israelites had forgotten the laws the Lord had given them and his instruction for living as a chosen people. How many generations had passed since they left Egypt? I wonder if they had stopped passing down the stories of God’s faithfulness to their children all together or if they had reduced those stories to the likes of fairytales rather than the account of a holy God delivering his people. As a mother to three young kids, this challenged me today. Lord, help me to share your word, and stories of your faithfulness in my own life with my children in a way that will continually point them to you.
Happy Monday, ladies! Thank you for the continued prayers for Arlo. He is doing really well and continues to heal with minimal pain. He will be able to go back to school today!
In today’s devo, my eyes caught on the word Intentional. Our study of God’s word, our remembering of His instructions, our sharing of His love and the sacrifice He made for our salvation – these are all intentional acts. If I am not intentional about making the time, putting forth the effort, opening my heart and mind to His words – that’s when I get off track, sliding down that slippery slope. Thank you, Lord, that we have ready access to Your words and instructions, may we seek Your guidance daily.
Amen, LAURA DIANNE.
TINA – another good one, sister, thank you. ❤️
KELLY (NEO) thank you for joining me yesterday :) I’m teary eyed once more after reading TAMI C’s testimony again this morning, God is so good! ❤️
I think of myself as having a good memory. Yet I go somewhere, thinking it is my first time, and my husband reminds me that I have been there before. I have a good memory, but it is selective. Why? Right now I’m in a funk, and so I remember all the bad stuff, all the things that hurt me, or made me cry. All the ways that God has blessed me, has protected me, has pulled me from the pit…forgotten. Forgive me, Lord, for my fickle ways. Forgive me for forgetting Your promises, Your provision, Your faithfulness. I want to walk today as one who remembers, and who lives as a child who has not been forgotten.
So thankful for Your indwelling presence to remind me of Your word, Lord. I pray my heart and will stays submitted to You teaching and correction.
Praying that y’all sense the Lord’s guidance and love today❣️
I remember going to boarding school aged 3. I remember the feeling of aloneness. I remember how I felt the dislike of my stepmother. I remember the day my daddy told me I was going to England to meet my mum. I remember the day my daughter was born. I remember the day my daughter died. I remember the day God showed my aching mama heart, my broken body, where she was. I remember being baptised on the fifth anniversary of her passing. I remember. I truly remember those life changing things and then some. Too many to list, but I am sure will talk of, as I recall during studies to come.
I don’t easily recall or remember however, the times when actually God was present. In the situations of getting through the days at boarding school. Or the joy of daddy coming home from work and the atmosphere of the house changing. Or the safe, but maybe, albeit long winded (to be honest no different from God’s people in the desert) ways I have travelled in life, to get to today, the twists and turns of my life, ALL without a doubt, guided, covered in HIS love, His protection, His provision, His Grace, His MERCY.. Tears roll easily down my face as I recall just a few of those I had forgotten..
BUT GOD..
He never left this being, ‘carefully created (by Him) in My mother’s womb’ He was always close, and always giving me a chance to recall. To repent of the distance I had put between us, through my sinning, and to REMEMBER our walk together and the Hope I have in him. ❤
I do, sometimes, forget about the things that may seem small or little, but actually are God given and ordained to make my life a better or to ease it…
I WILL REMEMBER ALL, Lord God, I will remember ALL!
Lord, forgive me, in My small mindedness, help me to see beyond ME and to look up, and to YOU.. Always.. You have been my source and portion, ALL the days of my life, Lord God may I always remember that! AMEN.
Happy Monday, sisters, wrapped in love, hugs and totally covered in prayers, requested or otherwise.. Much love, ladies. Tina.❤❤❤