Remember All

There is a saying that the older we get, the wiser we become. What people often fail to mention, however, is that our minds can also become less sharp. We forget where we placed things, the names of people we once knew, and sometimes even what we were about to say. We grow older, yet our minds can fail us when we need them most. 

However, there is another kind of forgetfulness that can be even more dangerous. It happens when we achieve the things we once desired: a better job, a promotion, the house of our dreams, or a trip to a place we always wanted to visit. At first, we are grateful and excited. But over time, those blessings become ordinary, and eventually, we forget how much we once longed for them. Instead of remembering what we have, our minds begin to focus on what we do not have, and dissatisfaction takes root in our hearts.

King David experienced such a moment in his life, and it had serious consequences for both him and his family. Before becoming king, David was a young shepherd who cared for his father's sheep and desired to do God's will. Throughout his life, he experienced God's powerful hand leading him—from the fields to the throne, from battles to victories, and eventually to becoming a powerful ruler.

But after some time, David became idle, and his heart chose to follow his own desires rather than God's will. He committed adultery and murder, and God sent the prophet Nathan to confront him through a parable.

David's first reaction was anger toward the rich man in the story who had taken the only lamb of a poor man. Yet he did not realize that the story was about him until Nathan declared, "You are the man!"

Nathan reminded David of all that God had given him: the throne, the kingdom, victories over his enemies, and so much more. God had blessed David abundantly, yet David chose to do evil in His sight. How terrible it is when we forget the goodness of God and allow our hearts to become consumed with what we still desire.

There is security and peace in learning to be content with what we have. God calls us to be thankful, but to remain thankful, we must intentionally remind ourselves of His blessings.

David eventually learned this lesson and wrote:

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."
Psalm 103:2

Let us remind ourselves daily of all God's benefits—first and foremost, the gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior, and everything we have received through Him. Everything else we receive is an added blessing.

Do not forget what God has done for you.

The Love of Darkness

I still remember the day I visited a cave in Shenandoah Valley, West Virginia. It was my first time, along with my father and my one-year-old son. My husband had been there before and knew what to expect.

The guide led us carefully down into the cave, warning us to watch our steps. Light fixtures guided our descent until we reached the deepest chamber. Once everyone was gathered, the guide told us to stay still. Then he turned off all the lights.

The darkness was absolute — a pitch-black void I had never experienced before. It was so complete it paralyzed me. A recorded voice explained that this was true darkness: the total absence of light. After about thirty seconds, the lights returned. The relief was immediate. I could finally move again and see my son’s face.

That moment taught me something powerful: darkness can be terrifying, but it also conceals.

At night, evil often finds its cover. A burglar slips into a closed shop. A gang meets for sinister purposes. A person flees from a violent home. The darkness of night has long provided the perfect hiding place for deeds people do not want exposed. If no one can see us, we think, no one can judge us.

Even a small amount of light changes everything. A dimly lit room is enough to apply makeup or walk to the bathroom without tripping, yet not bright enough to reveal every flaw or detail. The smallest source of light weakens the power of total darkness.

Today, however, we live in a world that no longer bothers to wait for nightfall. Spiritual darkness has grown so bold that evil no longer hides. We see it openly — in the news, on our streets, and in the headlines from every nation. Humanity’s deeds have become brazen.

The Apostle John explained this long ago:

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)

The Light they reject is Jesus Himself. He declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

In a world without a moral compass, those who come to Jesus first see themselves as they truly are — sinners in need of grace. His light exposes our filthy rags of self-righteousness. But it does more than expose: it cleanses, guides, and transforms. Step by step, He leads us. He fills us with His own life as we believe in Him.

The love of darkness is ultimately the love of evil. But those who come to the Light receive light themselves. They become beacons of truth in a pitch-black world.

So let your light shine boldly — because the darkness has never been darker, and the world has never needed it more.