The Book of Remembrance

Does heaven take note of every thought and word that honors Jesus? Well, the Lord really, really, really notices it when you think about him. I mean, think of all the times you’ve been enthralled at a stunning sunset and you’ve whispered, “Ah, Jesus, you’re so awesome! That’s beautiful.” And you said it without thinking. Or how about when a glorious hymn leaves you quietly breathless with praise, sitting there in the pew, and you’re just thinking warm thoughts about Jesus. Or when it’s early morning on a brisk walk and a flurry of birds explodes from the hillside. You stop for a moment, don’t you?, amazed, thinking, “Wow, God, what a joy to see that! Thank you!” Does heaven really record those moments? Does God really keep record of those flashes of delight when your heart turns heavenward? Is your life in God really that specific?  

The other day my friend Shannon was showing me Malachi 3:16-17, and I was stunned at what I read. It says, “Those who fear the Lord spoke with one another and the Lord listened and heard them. So, a scroll of remembrance was written before him regarding those who fear the Lord and honored his name. ‘They will be mine,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘on the day when I prepare my treasured possession.’” And Shannon said to me, “Joni, just think of what God is saying here. Every time you and I talk to one another about Jesus, he’s listening; he hears us. No matter how brief our words, God not only listens and hears, but he writes down everything on his scroll of remembrance. And not just what we say; not merely our words. God even makes note of those times we fondly think of him, or esteem him, or delight in him quietly and wordlessly in our hearts!” Now, I’ve read Malachi many times. Really, I do the “through the Bible in a year” thing. But never did I catch this insight. I had to read Malachi 3:16 again. And I’m stunned that the Lord would record in his scroll of remembrance, not only times I talk about him, but times I fear him, or meditate on him, or esteem him, delight in him, think about him. It’s all in his book of remembrance. 

And that same book is mentioned in Psalm 56 where the psalmist says with amazement, “[Lord], you have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” Oh, friend, be astounded like me and my friend Shannon. Ponder the wonderful fact. For when you simply marvel about Jesus in your heart, or you breathlessly meditate or talk about him glowingly, gratefully – the Lord’s listening, and he makes note of it. Literally. Every detail is written down on his “scroll of remembrance.” There is no performance from us required, outside of thinking on Jesus and his beautiful name. And one day when those books are opened, God will recall countless times you’ve esteemed him in your heart, with your words, and through your actions. And all those things will increase your treasure; yep, that’s right; you are his “treasured possession,” as it says in that passage in Malachi. Yep, God really is that generous. 

Today, you might be tossing or struggling, seeking the Lord and his help. Or you may be walking your neighborhood, admiring God’s handiwork in the rosebushes across the street. Well, when you make much of Jesus today, through times of seeking or moments of joy, remember, God takes so much pleasure in it that he writes it down. Again, your encouragement today is from Malachi 3:16-17. Look them up! Hey, this is Joni Eareckson Tada, and it’s just another way I’m sharing hope in your hardship here at Joni and Friends. 

© Joni and Friends