Purpose Study Bible 362: "Remember Me"

As we finish our study of Nehemiah, we read his prayer in the final chapter:

“Remember me for this, my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services” (Nehemiah 13:14).

In fact, he prayed this two other times in 13:22 and 13:31: “Remember me for this also, my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love. . . . Remember me with favor, my God.” Nehemiah wasn't boasting or reminding God of something He had forgotten. He was asking God to regard with favor what he had faithfully done.

And what a body of work there was for God to remember. Nehemiah discovered his purpose when Jerusalem's condition became his burden. He used his creativity to solve problems, established the goal of rebuilding the wall, managed his time and resources so the work was completed in fifty-two days, and exercised faith as he prayed, planned, worked, and persevered. Those five Goldmine Principles—purpose, creativity, goals, time management, and faith—worked together to help Nehemiah accomplish his assignment.

The writer of Hebrews gives us this assurance:

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them (Hebrews 6:10).

What are you doing that you would like God to remember? What body of work are you building through your purpose, creativity, goals, use of time, and faith? If you looked back over the last year—or the last ten years—what evidence would you see that you have faithfully used what God has given you?

Nehemiah began his story with a burden that caused him to weep and ended it asking God to remember the work that burden produced. You don't have to make sure everyone remembers what you did. Be faithful with your purpose, express your creativity, establish meaningful goals, make the most of your time, and trust God for the results. Then you can leave the record of your work with Him and pray as Nehemiah did: “Remember me with favor, my God.”