Who will remember us? Someone has calculated that after we die, we will be remembered for only three generations. In theory, then, our great-grandchildren will remember us. I remember two of my great-grandparents, my Grandma Brooks and my Grandma Duff. Honestly, I don’t remember a lot, but they live on in my memory because my parents talked about them. My dad loves my new grandson Thomas (and his other eleven great-grandchildren). He often signs off our conversations asking me to tell my grandchildren about him someday. I will.
We remember Nehemiah because this book in the Old Testament carries his name. Nehemiah wrote it, but he might be surprised we are still reading it today. In his running dialogue with God, he asks God, more than once to remember him. Nehemiah was an administrator who helped the people figure out how to live in Jerusalem again. He worked faithfully and hoped someone would remember what he did for God. He also asked God to show him mercy and love.
For what do we hope to be remembered? I want to be remembered for remembering God. Some people forget about him. The news this week reminds me again that our testimony is never safe until we get home. Be encouraged by this: even if nobody knows what we have done, God knows. This also holds us accountable: even if nobody knows what we have done, God knows. So we need mercy, great love, and God’s favor.
