THE POWER OF MEMORY

GENESIS 41:9

A. "THEN SPAKE THE CHIEF BUTLER UNTO PHARAOH, SAYING, I REMEMBER MY FAULTS THIS DAY"
  1. The story of Joseph is familiar to most Bible readers. It never loses its attraction:
    1. Children hearing the story of Joseph are fascinated by its pathos.
    2. It ranks among the best of the Bible stories.
  2. The chief butler had a good reason to make the confession, as stated in our text:
    1. Joseph's interpretation of the butler's dream brought hope to him to be set free again.
    2. And it was in appreciation of this deed of kindness that Joseph asked him to remember him when he regained his freedom - Gen. 40:7-15
B. THE POWER OF MEMORY
  1. Memory is a God-given faculty:
    1. To be treasured by us for what it does for us even in this present life.
    2. With it we can bring to our mind God's wonderful promises.
    3. With it we can recall the Lord's wonderful care for us in adversity, in sorrow, and in danger.
    4. With it we can encourage ourselves in meeting life's duties.
  2. We should guard our memory as we would guard life itself:
    1. If Satan can harm or destroy our memory, he has destroyed our usefulness.
    2. That is why he assails our memory continuously because he knows its powers.
  3. Function of the memory:
    1. Memory is based upon events or incidents that have made a strong impression upon our minds, in one way or another.
    2. David made great use of the power of memory - Ps. 42:6; 77:10; 143:5
    3. The ability to use the power of memory has, at times, meant the difference between life and death.
  4. Our text reveals two special blessings of memory:
    1. The power of association, "I remember this day" - Gen. 40:14, 15; 41:9. Pharaoh's dream sharpened the memory of the butler. He, too, had a dream while in prison, and Joseph interpreted it. The power of conscience aided the butler to make good his duty to Joseph.
    2. The experience of the butler reveals how powerful a conscience is. This idolater sensed a consciousness of guilt, of neglect, and of ingratitude. It exited a painful feeling of remorse. He was truly sorry for his sin of neglect.
C. A SPECIAL LESSON FOR US
  1. Does our memory open to us our faults?
    1. If it does, it is a great blessing.
    2. That gives us an opportunity to make things right.
    3. The chief butler must have been grateful that he still had opportunity to make things right.
  2. Seven things our sharpened memory ought to bring to us this evening:
    1. How good the Lord has been all the days of our lives. When I think of God's mercies to me in all my unworthy life, I have no words to express my humble gratitude toward Him for his love and care.
    2. How often we have failed Him and our fellow men in either word or deed.
    3. How often we entered the shadows of death, and somehow, we do not know how, we were snatched out of the very shadows of death.
    4. How has our memory affected our lives? Has it helped us to avoid the pitfalls of sin?
    5. Does our memory bring to our minds God's promises in the hour of temptation, or in the hour of sorrow?
    6. Is it a grateful memory -- filled with praise and thanksgiving?
    7. Finally, does our memory retain God in its great powers? - Eccl. 12:1-6


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