Recall to Mind

/ Gail Johnson

And I said, My strength and my hope

Is perished from the LORD:

Remembering mine affliction and my misery,

The wormwood and the gall.

My soul hath them still in remembrance,

And is humbled in me.

This I recall to my mind,

Therefore have I hope.

It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed,

Because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning:

Great is thy faithfulness.

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul:

Therefore will I hope in him.

Jeremiah 3:18-24

Still in remembrance

We have no trouble remembering hard times. A memorial of the incident leaps to mind when something terrible happens, bringing back all the emotions we experienced at that time. This is like… I remember when…

Jeremiah remembered his hard times.

But then, something happens. He writes, “This I recall to my mind.”

Recall to Mind

The word recall is a synonym for remembering. Now, I’m no expert, but these two words work differently in my thinking, especially in the spiritual context.

To recall is an intentional act. We mentally run through our files, pulling out the needed memory to bolster our failing hope.

Jeremiah intentionally focused on God and his mercies. His compassions. His faithfulness.

We can’t erase the hard times or the memories that come with them. But we can intentionally recall God’s unfailing love and His faithfulness to us.

On the other hand, the antonym for recall is forget. How easily we forget God’s faithfulness and His blessings during stormy seasons. The writer of Hebrews encourages us not to forget, but to recall!

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering: (for he is faithful that promised;) Hebrews 10:23

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Most people know the first verse and the chorus to the following song. I want to share the last two verses with you. And if you have the time, the video is well worth the listen. CeCe Winans is one of my all-time favorite gospel singers.

2. Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Thomas O. Chisholm

Public Domain

Photo by Free-Photos on Pixabay

16 thoughts on “Recall to Mind”

    • Jill, thank you. I felt a strong need to share this, this morning. So glad you were blessed. I love this hymn. And Cece Winans singing it is the icing on the cake! Blessings, sweet friend! ❤

  6. Thank you for including this wonderful timeless song in your post.
    Your posts always encourage me more than you can imagine.
    They also give me a lot to think about because they are stimulating.

    • Sandra, your comments never fail to touch my heart. Your words humble and stir me. I thank our Lord you are encouraged and stimulated to learn more. Praying for you, dear friend. ❤

  7. Excellent thoughts. “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” was my grandfather’s favorite hymn, and I think of him every time I hear it or read its lyrics. I can still “hear” (in my mind’s ear) him whistling it as he went about his activities on the dairy farm.

    • Thank you. I can understand why it was your grandfather’s favorite. Living on a farm helps one focus on nature as they go about their day-to-day business. Watching nature here on the farm, I can’t help but hear the second verse and think about Psalm 19.
      You don’t hear people whistling nowadays. Whistling either sounds happy or haunting. I’m sure your papa’s was a happy sound. Thank you for sharing that memory!

    • Thanks, Carole! She makes the hair on my head stand up when she sings. I love that song because it contains so many truths from the Scriptures. Thank you for commenting.

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