O Sovereign LORD, remember me

In chains, with eyes gouged out, a spectacle for his enemies, Samson asks not for deliverance or protection, but only that the Lord remember him.

For human beings remembering can be a scary and subjective thing. When we remember it is like calling up hazy picture from the past. We bring that picture into the present and examine it. The picture resembles what was real but it is always distorted by context and chronological distance. Those pictures are connected to strong emotions. While some are positive like the joy of victory or accomplishment, others carry the humiliating shame of regret or the pain of sudden loss.

So when we preach of remembering, we aren't concerned with recollection of grocery lists and anniversaries. We are speaking to hearts like David's, crushed with fear that his Lord might remember with anger the sins of his youth. We are speaking to hearts like the thief on the cross who knew that death as justice for his crimes was near. We are speaking to hearts like Samson's, filled with the shame and regret of abusing God's gracious love and blessings.

When a sinner asks a holy and righteous God to remember, they do not wish for him to call up the image of their iniquities and the ugliness of their sin. That can only strike terror in the heart. Sinners cry out for God to remember them because they have heard him speak words of forgetting and release. I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more (Hebrews 8:12). The sinner cries out to God to remember his promises, and when he does so he recalls them with perfect accuracy every time. Yes, child! I have promised forgiveness to you in the blood of my Son. Stand righteous before me!

Pray boldly. Pray like David, according to your mercy remember me, O Lord. Pray like the thief, remember me in your kingdom, Pray like Samson, remember me and strengthen me for works of service to you and for your kingdom. Rejoice that sinners like us can call upon the ever-faithful God to remember his promises.