He Loves to Be Reminded

Sometimes I sit on my couch and plead with God to answer a request.  I forget to thank Him that He is in control and already has the answer.  But more importantly, I forget who He is. 

When I think of some of the most dramatic answers to prayer, especially in the Old Testament,  I think of the pleas of Abraham (Genesis 18:25), Moses (Exodus 33:13;  Numbers 14:11-23)  and, now, Nehemiah whom I’m studying.  I always thought it was a little presumptuous of these men who were so close to God to remind Him of His promises and His character and attributes.  Surely He doesn't need reminding! But God responds to those kinds of prayers!  How many Psalms tell of His mighty works and His love and compassion?  

In chapter 1 of Nehemiah, he is confronted with the truth of what has happened to God’s remnant and His city of Jerusalem.  Nehemiah is devastated and weeps and mourns, fasting and praying for days. 

His prayer is recorded in 1:4-11 and it contains these three elements:  he reminds God of His greatness (“the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments.”); he confesses sin for the nation of Israel and for himself and his house; and He reminds God of His promise (“Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.”)  In chapter two, God answers Nehemiah’s prayer by touching King Artaxerxes’ heart to let Nehemiah, a servant, go to inspect Jerusalem and begin plans to rebuild the city’s walls.

Do these kinds of prayers bring God glory?  Absolutely!  If someone asks  for advice about a situation they have pretty much given up on, the most effective thing we can do for them is to remind them of times they have persevered.  Those reminders accomplish two things:  they remember what they have done and who they are and they know that we remember, and that we know and care about them.  When we remind God of His promises and His greatness of character, He knows that we have been in His Word…we know what He has said and we are familiar with who He is.  This brings Him glory!