Psalm 25
Of David.

1 In you, Lord my God,
    I put my trust.
2 I trust in you;
    do not let me be put to shame,
    nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one who hopes in you
    will ever be put to shame,
  but shame will come on those
    who are treacherous without cause.
4 Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
   and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
    for they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
    and my rebellious ways;
  according to your love remember me,
    for you, Lord, are good.

Remember me.

It is as if to say: Think on me. Consider me and don’t forget. Keep me in your heart and mind.

But as others think of us, what are their thoughts? Do they think of us as kind, compassionate, generous, wise, humorous, loving? Or something else?

I have often noticed at funerals that we invoke the best memories and characteristics of those we care about. We dwell on those things which are good, and cover over that which is bad. It is love that allows for this pardoning perspective.

But God cannot cover over sin. In light of his perfect justice, we stand convicted in our wrongs. God is loving, to be sure. But just as certainly as God is loving, he is also righteous.

For this reason, asking God to remember us is risky business. How can we stand before him with hope in our hearts?

Only in this: we have a redeemer. Our good works cannot save us, but his will. He lived perfectly even though we haven’t. He gave his life so we might not loose ours. And now, when God remembers us, he remembers his Son.

So pray the words of David:

7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.

And know this, that even the thief on the cross was bold to cry out: Remember me, when you come into your kingdom.

And Jesus did.