Day 55 - 90 Days in Proverbs - Memories

Proverbs 10:7 [ESV] The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

We can look at this scripture in two ways.

The effect the righteous and wicked have on others:

(a)   When we think of a righteous person we know, the memories of them – the life they led, the words they said, their good deeds, the character shown – bring a blessing to us. The memories are good, fun, touching, happy. We know they prayed for or with us. We felt their warm hugs, received cards or calls, and experienced their love. And, therefore, it is a blessing to remember them.

(b)   However, when we think of the words and actions of a wicked person, we get a sick feeling in our guts. We remember the hurt they inflicted on us, on their loved ones and on themselves with the bad choices they have made.  

The effect the righteous and wicked have on themselves.

(a)   The memories that the righteous have about their own lives are a blessing to them. If you can look back on your life and see that you’ve done some good, that you have loved well, helped others, served God to the best of your ability, you are blessed. We should not let Satan call to mind our missteps and sins, but let the Holy Spirit fill us with memories of working in us for good.

(b)   The wicked don’t have the experience of looking back on a life of striving to spread good in the world. Instead, they see the destruction their wicked words or deeds caused others and themselves throughout a life led by sin instead of by God. They have regrets for the pain they caused.

I’m getting older, close to retirement age – the age when one cannot help but consider what my life has been all about. Has it had any value? Have I helped? Have I grown? Are there incidences in my life that I look back on with pain – things I wish I hadn’t done – hurt I caused myself or others? My life has not been sin free. So I have both good memories that are a blessing to recall and memories that make me sad for the mistakes and pain. However, I should look back on all of my life with thankfulness that Jesus has paid for my sins. And I should not let Satan have me wallow in those sins that have already been forgiven and forgotten by God.

I believe God wants us to focus on the good. That’s what He does.

The best news is that as long as we are breathing there is still time to create more beautiful memories. There is still time to pray for others, maybe even send them a note or call them. There is still time to forgive, to say kind words, to release hurt that is held inside. There is still time to make memories that are blessings to us and to the others who will remember us when we are gone.

So, sweet sisters, go out today and make blessed memories. And maybe take some time to pray for those whose memories are not such a blessing.

Prayer — Father God, Thank you for the good memories I have. These are memories of You working in and through me. You have given me so many blessings and opportunities to do good. My life is not over. So, please help my words and deeds today, and every day until the day I day, be words and deeds that create blessed memories for me and those they touch. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

_____________________________________________________________________________________