Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
For they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth
And my rebellious ways;
According to your love remember me,
For you, Lord, are good.
- Psalm 25:6-7

In today’s passage David repeats the request “remember” three times. Can you find all three?

In verse 6, David calls out to the Lord to remember his great mercy and love. Mercy and love have marked God’s interactions with humanity and with David for a long, long time. The mercy and love of God stand at the bedrock of God’s character.

Throughout the psalms (and throughout the whole Bible for that matter) we hear men and women call out to the Lord to remember and keep his commitments. Now, the Lord is never at risk of failing to keep his commitments. But God’s people throughout history have felt the freedom to remind him to remember anyways. And the God who never forgets is happy to be reminded.

To this same God who never forgets his commitments, David asks him to let something pass from his memory: the sins of David’s youth and his rebellious ways. Even as the Lord is known for his mercy and love, David doesn’t want to be known for his sin and rebellion. David wants a reputation like the Lord’s, even though he hasn’t deserved it. This is a request that can only be made to one who is rich in mercy and love.

David wants to be remembered according to the great love of the Lord. What do you think that means? When the Lord looks at David, David wants the Lord to see someone he loves. David wants memories that spark loyalty to fill the Lord’s heart. David wants God’s goodness and mercy to follow him all the days of his life.

What facets of God’s character do you need to remember today? How do you want God to remember you? What will God need to transform in you in order for you to become the person you want him to remember?