“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name” (Malachi 3:16).
When I was born, my mother started my baby book. For the first two years of my life, she recorded the momentous moments in my life. I still have that book, although it is old and tattered (rather like me). Looking through it, I learned when the first tooth broke through my gums, when I first smiled and cooed, and took that wobbly first step. Mother proudly recorded that I walked at ten months. Nowhere did she write, “Barbara was so fussy today that I didn’t get a thing done,” although I am sure there were days like that. She did not write, “Barbara threw a temper tantrum today,” although some days I threw several. Nor did she write, “Barbara fell down six times today.” I did not find one negative memory in that book. Mother only recorded the good memories, the ones she wanted to pass down to me.
Our heavenly Father is not watching His children, pen in hand, ready to record every time we stumble or lose our temper. What does He put in His book of remembrance?
“God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewn toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10).
He remembers every time we serve. Maybe it isn’t behind a pulpit, but behind the scenes. Maybe it isn’t in a classroom, but in a prayer room. Maybe it isn’t on the platform, but on outreach. He remembers the times we clean the church, make a blanket for the homeless, intercede for a lost soul, bake a cake for the minister’s family, visit the sick, or give an elderly person a ride to church. He remembers our labors of love.
When the enemy clicks his tongue and taunts us, “Shame! Shame! You really goofed up that time!” Answer, “Where in God’s book do you find that? I don’t see it.”
In God’s book you will find the momentous moments “for those that fear Him and think upon His name.”
Occasionally, I get out my baby book and flip through it. I don’t remember taking that first step or saying that first word. But there it is in my mother’s handwriting. At judgment you may be amazed to discovered what God has written in His book of remembrance about you.
By Barbara Westberg
