I have a preacher friend who was unceremoniously moved on by the congregation with which he had been working. Having a clear conscience, he didn’t concern himself with his reputation, but only that he continue to provide for his family. However, there was also the ever-present possibility of having to move to another town to preach—moving house, kids in new schools and a new beginning. But all this was circumvented when a nearby congregation asked him to preach for them. For the sake of harmony amongst the churches he said, “Would you like to discuss the details of my departure from the other congregation?” To which one of the Elders replied, “That is not necessary, brother, we know you and your work.”
God knows you and your work too. He sees your kindness toward strangers and your willingness to promote the wellbeing of your brethren. It is because of this that He receives prayers of thanksgiving on your behalf. Others offering up prayers that tag you as a ‘God-send!’
God remembers your “work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thess.1:3).
The vision of God sitting above with pen and paper writing down all our sins is probably more of a feeling than a picture actually formed in our heads. Nothing could be further from the truth, of course. Because, “He has taken our sins away from us as far as the east is from west” (Psa.113:12).
God does not drift in and out of amnesia. He is fully aware of our every thought and our every action from cradle to grave—all at the same moment. The assurance that He does not forget our good works done in his name is to strengthen us in tough times. And it is in those tough times that we most need to hear:
“God is fair, and he will remember all the work you have done. He will remember that you showed your love to him by helping his people and that you continue to help them” (Heb.6:10).
John Staiger
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