This morning in prayer with God, He was showing me that all of the memories of much loved family loving me generously was Him. All of the delight I experienced in the child wonder of seeing butterflies and flowers, of eating favorite foods made by grandmothers who loved deeply, of laying on a hill and marveling at the green grass and the blue sky with white clouds and fresh breezes, all of the love of parents and siblings and experiencing life itself was from Him who gives generously if we only have hearts to receive and memories to remember anew. This is how God showed his love among us. 1 John 4:9. Thank You, Lord!

Remember. In 1 Samuel 29 we find remembering of a different kind. David and his men have been with Achish, a Philistine ruler who trusts David and unlike Saul, has not been trying to kill him. David is loyal. As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish. v. 2. The commanders of the Philistines remembered that David killed Goliath and thousands of Philistines years ago. They want him gone. David and his men leave and go back to the land of the Philistines so they won’t march against their fellow Israelites v. 11. A curious expression from Achish: “I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go up with us into battle.’ v. 9.

As pleasing as an angel of God…David, an Israelite, was able to be that for Achish, a Philistine ruler. They were men of war and they understood the love of the camaraderie of fighting men who were there for each other.

I remember the love of family and that special camaraderie runs deep and known. Love forms bonds so deep they become part of us. Imagine the deep love that comes from God.

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 1 John 4:13. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:16-17.

The Spirit spoke to me this morning and brought to my memory moments of joy as only a child can experience because everything is so new and exciting. I’m no longer a child but I can remember with fondness the love I received. Remember. You are loved still and always. Never forget.

That is the love that God offers to each of us. Love that is known and that our hearts remember even if we forget in the rush of adult responsibilities. Remember. Never forget – this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:10-12.

I hope you spend moments remembering how you have been loved in your life. How blessed you have been by the love of family and friends…how blessed you are that God loves so well that our memories are as pleasing as an angel of God.