*** "REMEMBER" **

 ALL of us like to be remembered.                                                           NO ONE likes to be forgotten.

Let's look in the Old Testament of GOD'S WORD (The BIBLE) at the Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 1:1 - 2:21:                                       

Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, strongly - even desperately - wanted to have a child ----- and she could not.

(1 Samuel 1:7)- So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD...she wept and did not eat.

(1 Samuel 1:11)- "So she (Hannah)...said, 'O LORD of HOSTS, if YOU will...look on me (Your maidservant) and remember me, and not forget me, and give to me a male child, then I will GIVE HIM to the LORD all the days of his life..."

(verse 19) Then they rose early in the morning and Worshiped before the LORD, and returned to their home.  And Elkanah knew Hannah  his wife, and the LORD remembered her.  (v. 20) So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she called his name "Samuel".  (The meaning of the name "Samuel" is "heard by GOD").

In (1 Samuel 1:19) "...and the LORD remembered her..." does Not imply that HE had forgotten her, but rather that HE is now going to bring HIS ANSWER TO HANNAH'S PRAYER and unfold HIS PURPOSES!!!

(1 Samuel 2:18)  "...and Samuel served before the LORD even as a child...".

The similarities between JESUS and the boy Samuel are striking!        Both were children of Promise.  Both were dedicated to GOD before birth.  Both were "bridges" of transition from one stage of the nation's (Israel) to another stage.  Samuel combined the offices of Prophet and Priest;  JESUS CHRIST is Prophet, Priest, Messiah, and King (of Kings!!!)  (Revelation 19:16).

HOLY GOD does Not forget You -He does not forget me:                      "How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O GOD.  How great is the sum of them: They are more than the grains of sand." (Psalm 139:17-18).

Most all of us have visited, or seen, a beach...HOW MANY grains of sand were on the beach that you saw?  How many grains on All the beaches in the WORLD???  How many on All the DESERTS of the world?

Our GOD MOST HIGH (Psalm 42:7) does remember us.  HE WILL CONTINUE to REMEMBER us!!!

Here, now, let me add an additional note about Hannah:                       "And the LORD attended to Hannah, so that she conceived and bore a total of Four sons and two daughters,"  (1 Samuel 2:21).

So... YOU and Me---what are we to do?                                                 (As did Hannah) We are to pray-pour out our hearts to GOD, PRAISE HIM, Thank HIM, fast before HIM, Worship HIM!!!  And Trust that HE Will (in HIS Perfect time (Psalm 139:16) bring to us HIS answer to our prayers, AND unfold HIS purposes!!!

HE will remember/answer in accord with HIS character - "...more than we can dream "...or dare ask..." (Ephesians 3:20/Amplified Bible).  REMEMBER, Hannah asked for "...a male child"; GOD gave to her 4 sons and 2 daughters!!! (1 Samuel 2:21).

***  "REMEMBER ** 

****SURELY LOVE AND MERCY...****

 "Because YOU, LORD, are my Shepherd, I will not lack anything that I truly need.  YOU have bedded me down in Lush Meadows, You find for me quiet pools to drink from.   YOU restore my soul...       (True to Your Word---You let me pause and catch my breath).  YOU lead me in paths of righteousness for YOUR NAME'S SAKE.

Yes, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no evil--- for YOU are With Me.  Your Shepherd's Staff makes me feel secure.

YOU serve me a six-course dinner in front of my enemies; YOU anoint my head with Your oil; my cup runs over with YOUR BLESSINGS!!!

SURELY YOUR LOVE AND MERCY will follow me ALL the days of my life; and I will live WITH YOU in Your house forever"!!!                   (Psalm 23:1-6 New King James Bible/The Message).

++++++++PICTURE THIS in your Mind and Your Heart:

(Acts 9:3-5) "As he (Saul) journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly --- a BRIGHT LIGHT shined around him from Heaven.         Then he fell to the ground...and he heard a voice speaking to him... and he said, 'Who are You, Lord?'  Then the Lord said...I AM JESUS...".

Now ++++ PICTURE THIS:  It COULD BE that The Light of GOD shined down on the Valley of Elah where David fought the giant Goliath.  Goliath was 6 cubits (approximately 9 feet 9 inches) tall --- surely Goliath would have cast a Shadow...and Goliath certainly told  David  that he was going to put him to death (in this Valley).  So (by God's Grace) David prevailed... "and Goliath crashed face-down in the dirt." (! Samuel 17: 32-51/The Message).

***Pardon me - But I MUST interject a Powerful note here:                (a) The HOLY SPIRIT wrote many Psalms through David; this Psalm 23 (at the beginning of this message); and HE also wrote Psalm 22 through David:                                                                                        (b) The Valley where David killed Goliath was in the territory of Judah. (*** The name Judah means "Praise").                                        (c) In Psalm 22:3 GOD'S WORD states GOD"... enthrones HIS PRESENCE in the praises of (His people)..." !!!

(Psalm 46:10) "Be still and know, that I am GOD, I will be exalted      (Praised and worshiped) among the nations".

(Isaiah 41:10) "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I AM your GOD,  I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with MY righteous right hand."

May I paraphrase, Please...

++++This next section---Read this aloud to yourself 12 times in the next 15 days.....your days will be Blessed!!!  ["He is Faithful to HIS WORD and to His Righteous Character." (2 Timothy 2:13/Amplified 

Be still and know, that GOD is in control.                                                Be still my soul; stand and watch the giants fall.

Rest in the LORD, don't strive; watch your faith and His grace align.  I won't be afraid, YOU are with me, YOU hold me with your righteous right hand.

"Surely Love and Mercy, YOUR Peace and Kindness will follow me, will follow me.

Surely Love and Mercy, YOUR Peace and Kindness will follow me, will follow me.

Surely Love and Mercy, YOUR Peace and Kindness will follow me, will follow me..."

{Even better than reading it aloud to yourself.....                                   HillSong Music has a Wonderful CD titled "There Is More" that includes a song titled "BE STILL".  (And you know that songs are more "touching", and easier to remember.                                                ++++ I urge you.....Give to yourself the Gift of buying that CD and listen to it!!!}

++++ You may have noticed that I sometimes put the plus (+) sign to  draw your attention to a particular part of this (HIS) message...            I put-- 4 -- crosses as a reminder that In Revelation 4:1 HIS WORD says "...a door standing open...and HE is saying..."...Come up here, and I will show you things that must take place..."