Remind Me, Oh Lord

“Remind Me, Oh Lord”

1 Peter 1:13-21

David P. Nolte

Henry had a horrible memory and so did his wife, Matilda. They chided one another for their forgetfulness, neither owning up to their own lack of recall. The wife said, “Henry, will you fix me an ice cream Sundae? And don’t forget the cherry on top!” Henry, irritated, said, “I won’t forget; my memory is as sharp as a tack.” He went into the kitchen and in a few minutes he brought Matilda a plate of eggs and toast. She said, “I knew it! You can’t remember anything! I told you not to forget to put jelly on the toast!”

Another couple went on a road trip. About 10 miles from where they had stopped for lunch, Opal said, “Oh, Joe! We have to go back to the restaurant – I forgot my purse!” Joe was ticked! “Opal, how can you be so stupid? As big as it is, you’d forget your nose if it wasn’t fastened to your face! You don’t have the common sense God gave a horsefly!” He harangued her for the entire 10 miles. Sort of like “Second verse, same as the first; a little bit louder, and a little bit worse!” When they arrived back at the restaurant, Joe said, “Now, while you’re in there getting your purse, pick up my hat, too!”

Memory. Mine isn’t what it used to be – my excuses are that “I have too much to think about and too little to think with!” and that “my forgetter works too good.” Another face saver when I meet someone I ought to know but just can’t place is, “I have to embarrass myself. I know you but I always forget a face and I never remember a name!”

We all forget things from time to time but there are some things we ought to always keep fresh and in mind. LET’S THINK ABOUT THAT.

“Therefore, get your minds ready for action, by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance, but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, for it is written, ‘You shall be holy, because I am holy.’ And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one’s work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence. You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, you were ransomed--not by perishable things like silver or gold, but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, Christ. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for your sake. Through Him you now trust in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” 1 Peter 1:13-21 (NET).

Toni’s song and the Scripture text both suggest some areas of life where we need reminding.. With the song, let us say, “Remind me, Oh Lord!”

I. REMIND ME THAT THINGS ARE TEMPORAL:

A. Peter alluded to the temporality and perishability of this world when he said, “live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence. You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, you were ransomed--not by perishable things like silver or gold, but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, Christ.”

1. The longest life we may live here in the flesh is but a temporary one. Here today, gone tomorrow. We are given but a brief time of sojourning here in the flesh.

2. The finest of silver and gold are perishable over time. All material things are subject to dissolution and destruction.

B. The song says,

“The things that I love and hold dear to my heart

Are just borrowed, they’re not mine at all

Jesus only let my use them to brighten up my life

So remind me, remind me, dear Lord.”

C. Things are temporal, so:

1. “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:15-17 (NASB).

2. Martin Luther said, “I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”