You have probably known a teen who keeps a diary. Every day, she faithfully takes time to find a quiet corner and write in her journal all the important things that happened to her, whether happy or sad, so that one day she can go back and look at those memories.
The Bible says that God in heaven also keeps a record of the words and deeds of His children.
The Saints’ Sorrows
While hiding in the territory of Gath, fleeing from Saul, David is finally captured by the Philistines. Though chased from his home and harried by his enemies, David calls out to God in confidence: “Thou hast taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Thy bottle; Are they not in Thy book?” (Psalm 56:8).
In the ancient East, one who was grieving would sometimes wear a “lachrymatory,” a tiny flask for catching and storing tears. Like a lock of hair from a deceased loved one, this bottle served as a physical reminder of sad emotions. God catches our tears, remembering our hurt and providing comfort. He “takes account” of our trials and tribulations and writes them down in His book.
What a comforting thought, to know that our all-powerful Father in heaven cares enough about us that He takes notice of our hardships and problems! “Blessed be the God and Father…the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our affliction” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
The Saints’ Faithful Actions
In like manner, when one of God’s children performs some memorable service in His name, He records it for future reference. We read in Malachi 3:16-17,
Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name. “And they will be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession…” When you give of your means, God makes a note of it. When you help the downtrodden, God makes a note of it. When you preach the gospel to others, God makes a note of it. When you overcome a temptation or eliminate a sin from your life, God makes note of it. God says “to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40).
Judgment Day sees the reading of these books of record, when “books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were in the books, according to their deeds” (Revelation 20:12).
What sin have you overcome, what sacrifice have you made, what deed have you done, that God sees and is pleased? “Your Father who sees in secret will repay you” (Matthew 6:4). “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). “But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:13-14).
A Warning
God does not use indelible ink in His books. Even an entry in the book of life itself can be removed because of sin. God told Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book” (Exodus 32:33). David cried out to the Lord, “may they be blotted out of the book of life” (Psalm 69:28). The Lord can “erase his name from the book of life” who does not obey Him (Revelation 3:5).
—John Guzzetta