The past couple weeks I’ve really been dwelling on the idea of remembering Jesus—remembering the Gospel. As I read today, this passage in the beginning of Psalm 77 stuck out to me.

You hold my eyelids open;
   I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
I consider the days of old,
   the years long ago.
I said, "Let me remember my song in the night;
   let me meditate in my heart."
   Then my spirit made a diligent search:
”Will the Lord spurn forever,
   and never again be favorable?
Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
   Are his promises at an end for all time?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
    Has he in anger shut up his compassion?"
                         Selah

Then I said, "I will appeal to this,
   to the years of the right hand of the Most High."

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
   yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

Asaph describes his turmoil and mental anguish over his circumstances. Then shifts immediately. He says that he will remember God’s works and ‘wonders’ of old.

Every Christian can attest to God’s power to provide strength and comfort. Yet, we all quickly forget that he has done so for us in the past, when our present seems to fall apart. Like Asaph, we should make a careful point to remember what God has done for us in the past, in his Gospel in general and our lives in specific, to give us confidence for the future.

Romans 11:29

“…The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.”

Paul is writing about the nation of Israel. They are an illustration here for how God deals with people. And in this instance he is saying that although God has allowed his chosen people to be hardened in heart for the sake of the gentiles who would be saved, he has not forgotten his promises to that nation.

But there are dual meanings, as virtually every classic Christian commentator agrees.

Therefore, this verse becomes among the most encouraging, strengthening, truths of God’s love to ever fall on the pages of scripture. Though we may fail, we need not succumb to despair. Though we are weak we can take heart and confidence because God’s gifts and callings are irrevocable.

Song of Songs 7:10:

“I am my beloved’s
   and his desire is for me.”

Among the oldest interpretations of the book of Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon) is that it is an allegory. Originally seen as Christ and Israel, then later understood as Christ and the true Israel (the Church). It’s one of the places we get so much imagery of the church being the ‘bride’ of Christ.

Understood in that way, this passage becomes one of the most beautiful, peaceful, comforting, exciting, encouraging, strengthening verses in all of God’s word.

As Christians we can remember that Christ’s work on our behalf wasn’t begrudging and it wasn’t a chore. And although he has carried our burden of sin, his desire remains for us and his work on our behalf is both obedient to God and joyful for us.

Hebrews 8:11-12:

they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
   and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
for they shall all know me,
   from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
    and I will remember their sins no more."

A wave of optimistic anticipation swept over me as I read this the other day. Even though I’ve read it many times before, it is wonderful when our exterior weakens enough for old truths to take new effect.

It’s very encouraging to keep those promises close.

I came upon this today as I read in Proverbs. I absolutely love the ESV’s wording. Proverbs 23:17-18:

Let not your heart envy sinners,
   but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.
Surely there is a future,
   and your hope will not be cut off.

Why would we envy sinners unless we feared we didn’t have a much better reward waiting for us? Our future in Christ is absolutely sure and it will not be cut off.

That’s very encouraging.

Hebrews 4:14-16:

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

In every manner that we have failed, Jesus has succeeded. For this reason, among others, we can have confidence to expect grace through his work on our behalf.

That’s pretty encouraging.

In between finishing the bible reading plan yesterday and starting the bible reading plan fresh next Monday, I’ve been reading scattered portions of scripture. Today, I found encouragement in 1 Peter 1:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

I love the imagery. That the inheritance we’re promised is no fickle, unsure thing. It’s imperishable, undefiled and unfading. In three words, it is absolutely unlike anything we’ve experienced here in this lifetime. But not only that, God’s power guards them with our faith as a simple conduit.

Encouragement 101—brought to you by the Apostle Peter. Sweet.