“Never Forget” is a phrase that is associated with tragedies, namely historic ones. Its exact origins are unknown, but it can at least be traced back to World War II and the post-Holocaust era. In their efforts to combat Naziism, the Allied powers organized an exhibition in Vienna in 1946 entitled “Never Forget.” The phrase was used widely after the 9/11 attacks as well. It was not uncommon to see it displayed in bold font on an American flag-flooded bumper sticker or on a billboard next to a regally posed Bald Eagle.
The phrase engenders feelings of sober reflection and, at the same time, elicits feelings of patriotism, loyalty and duty. Accordingly, “never forget” has been used often by public safety agencies after line-of-duty deaths. Doubtless the phrase calls for a deeply emotional response.
But what is it exactly that should never be forgotten? And what is the expected response tied to those emotions? Psalm 103 speaks to this sentiment and does not leave those questions unanswered.
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. (Ps. 103:13–19)
Noteworthy in these verses is the interplay of brevity and permanence. In His divine permanence, the Lord remembers that man’s life is exceedingly brief. Even Methuselah’s tenure at 969 years is a drop in the bucket of history, yet God assures us that neither he, nor the youngest among us, are forgotten. He compares our time in this world to a fragile, short-lasting flower that is quickly forgotten in human history, “but the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him.” We are like dust carried off by a breeze but God’s love is unyielding, unwavering and eternal.
None of us likes the idea of being forgotten. Athletic triumphs, ascension to political office, designing imposing buildings and donating enormous sums of money are just a few of the ways that people commit their lives to the hope of being remembered. In their day, each of these is worthy of note, but that day passes and they are forgotten.
However, through the psalmist God teaches us that there is a way in which you will never be forgotten. It does not involve valorous military victories or groundbreaking scientific discoveries. You are remembered by the immutable, sovereign God when you “fear Him.” The fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of wisdom, it is the route to never being forgotten. When you remember to do His commandments, the Lord’s steadfast love remains on you from everlasting to everlasting.
This means that you can deliver mail on the same route for thirty years and know definitively that you will be eternally remembered. You can clean toilets for a local school district, serve your family as a homemaker or hold twelve different jobs in four states and go to bed with confidence every night that what you are doing will never be forgotten. That is, you can trust God’s promise of remembrance if you fear Him, keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments.
What’s more, it’s not even a difficult task! The God whom you love merely asks that you live in a way that is consistent with that love.
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. (1 Jn. 5:2–3)
To the question, “What is it exactly that should never be forgotten?” the answer is “to keep His covenant.” And to the question, “What is the expected response tied to those emotions?” the answer is “to do His commandments.” After thanking God for the responsibilities He has assigned to you today, ask Him to help you to never forget, knowing that He who has established His throne in the heavens, and whose kingdom rules over all will, in turn, never forget you.