John 11:40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

It is not certain exactly when Jesus is referring to, but then even the Bible is very open about the fact that it isn’t a complete record of all that Jesus said and did. (John 21:25) What is recorded here is certainly consistent with all that we do have written down. With our technology today it is easy to wish someone had had a digital recorder to follow Jesus around all the time, or better yet, live video, but that would be total overload. What is available to us, however is the Holy Spirit, because He was with Jesus not just on this earth but from before Creation. That’s why Jesus told us, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26) We need to be listening for what God wants to say to us at all times, especially when we are reading the Bible but at other times as well, and allow the Holy Spirit to jog our memory whenever it’s appropriate. It has been shown that we tend to prioritize our memories and push less important memories aside, so the help of the Holy Spirit here is essential, since we aren’t good judges of what we need to remember. The wise course for us is to get as much of the Word into our “memory bank” as we can, just as the Psalmist said. (Psalm 119:11) When we do that, it is a simple matter for the Holy Spirit to call on those memories to instruct us, and also for us to see through the lies the devil tells us every day. Lies are the devil’s chief weapon, and truth is the best defense.

This certainly applies to me! I have a lot of the Bible in my memory bank, but I certainly need the Holy Spirit as my “reference librarian” to help me recall and apply it when appropriate. This particular statement that Jesus made to Martha is one I certainly need to remember right now. I have pastor friends retiring or even dying all around me, and the image of Lazarus in the tomb doesn’t seem inappropriate. However, even when things seem totally dark from a human perspective, God is in no way discouraged, or even limited. I need to remember that actively, recognizing and rejoicing in my own weakness so that His power may be displayed. (2 Corinthians 12:9) I think I am honest in desiring God’s glory and not my own, so just as He told me to do, I need to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him, trusting Him fully so that I may indeed see His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for Your faithfulness to remind me of all I really need to remember. Help me rejoice in that, and not be anxious about what I don’t remember! Thank You. Praise God!