Psalm 25:7– Remember Not, O Lord

This week I am in a meeting with the church in Belleville, Indiana. It’s a pleasure to be back in Hendricks County where I grew up. Returning “home” has unearthed so many memories.

Saturday we drove past the church building where I attended throughout my childhood and teenage years. It was where I went to Bible classes twice a week. Where I was baptized. Participated in worship services. Gave my first talk. And listened to and learned from the powerful preaching of Aude McKee. The building is now owned by another religious group, but there was a car in the parking lot. So we stopped and they invited us in. We walked into the auditorium and through the classrooms, thinking of Bible teachers and times spent learning God’s Word. So, many precious memories flooded my soul.

Yesterday, we drove past the old home place and took some pictures. There are still two towering trees in the front yard that my Dad planted 65 years ago. In my memory I can see the corn grow. Working in the garden. Feeding the pigs and the cows. Driving the tractor. Shooting hoops in the driveway. And see that carefree boy romping through the fields having a good time.

We drove to the Spring Hill cemetery in Cartersburg and placed flowers on my brother’s grave. Bill was taken from this life too soon at age 23. I stood there thinking of the childhood memories growing up together. Playing and working together. Shooting a BB gun. The times Larry Ping I teased Billy with a silly nickname. The bond we developed as we grew to manhood.

I plan to return to Cascade High School where I graduated tomorrow. I can already envision the times I ran track and cross country. Played basketball. And studied speech, English and literature in Mrs. Everhart’s class.

Memory is a wonderful, special faculty we possess. It conjures up warm feelings, pleasant thoughts, and nostalgic reflections. Yet, there is a slight down side at times. There is a verse that comes to my mind on such occasions from Psalm 25:7, where David offered a heart-felt prayer to God. It could be my prayer. Your prayer.

“Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.”

This verse speaks to mistakes in our youth when immaturity, selfishness, pride, laziness, carelessness, or impulsiveness may have driven our attitudes and actions. It echoes a deep longing that most of us have probably felt at times. It also exposes transparency and vulnerability as we come to grips with our past.

Our “rebellious ways” may include youthful lusts, running with the wrong crowd, being in the wrong places, and participating in worldly activities. The “sins of our youth” may have been reflected in cowardice and a failure to stand up and live up to our convictions. Included in this may be disobedience to parents, lying, cheating, or even stealing. The pleasures of sin may have ruled the day during High School or College years. Not a pretty picture or pleasant memory, is it?

But there is Good News. Our God is a God of love, mercy, and grace. In His unfathomable Divine love He is able to extend mercy to withhold the punishment we deserve and in His grace offer the redemption, reconciliation, and restoration that we do not deserve.

God has the capacity to forgive and forget. To wipe the slate clean. To blot our transgressions (Ps. 51:1). As David wrote in Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Or to use another metaphor from the prophet Micah “He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” As I recently read, “God’s memory is governed not by our failures, but by His goodness.”

Like the apostle Paul who in his youth was a persecutor of Christians, a blasphemer, and an insolent opponent of Christ, we forget those things which are behind (because God does) and reach forward to that which is ahead. (Phil. 3:13-14).

Finally, David, much like all of us, desired that God remember the good that he has done. Our youthful indiscretions and sins of the past do not have to define our present relationship with Lord, nor our future dwelling with Him in eternity.

Yes, David’s prayer is my prayer, “remember not the sins of my youth.” But “remember me.” And as Nehemiah prayed, “Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman