Jul 08

I once stood before 40 men in a small room in a jail, telling them some of the very things we have talking about right here. At the end of my message, as usual, I asked if there were any questions or comments.

One young man in the back raised his hand and disagreed with what I had said about those outside of Christ losing everything at death. You have to understand, of course, that not all who come to the church services in such places are believers. Some come because it gives them a chance to get out of their cells.

This young man said to me and to all the others that he had one thing that could never be taken away from him, and that was the memory of all the good times that he and his girlfriend had shared.

My heart sank and went out to this young man for many reasons. I did not want to contradict him publicly myself and set up more of a barrier than already existed between his view of reality and that presented by God's Word, so I asked if there was anyone else there that could think of any reason why this man's viewpoint was dangerous.

Quickly the reply came from another inmate, that memories fade and eventually die. Naturally, there were many heads shaking in agreement.

Memories do die and Scripture says that even the memory of the wicked shall die as well (Ps. 9:6, Eccl. 9:5).

How utterly horrible to find at the end of one's life that even the memory of your existence has been forgotten, that no one even remembers that you existed at all. But even that is not the worst part. What is worse by far is the possibility that even God will forget of the existence of thosewho forgot him during their lives.

"All the nations that forget God shall be turned into hell" (Ps. 9:17).

To be forgotten by God is a fate too terrible to contemplate. Yet we should contemplate it before it is too late and then accept the one way God has provided to escape this fate: Jesus Christ.

"A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name" (Mal. 3:16).

Scripture for today: Psalm 9:6, 17; Eccl 9:5; Mal. 3
Thought for today: The choice is for God to forget my sins through faith in Jesus--or to be forgotten by God.
Prayer for today: I say the words of the thief on the cross, Jesus: Do not forget me when you come into your kingdom.

JUL 08