One of my favorite books in the Bible is the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, and one of my favorite parts of that book is from the very last chapter, when Nehemiah is writing about the very last works he does as the governor of Jerusalem. In this chapter, he has a unique closing thought; a petition to God to remember the deeds that he has done.

Nehemiah 13:14 (ESV) “Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service.”

Nehemiah 13:30-31 (ESV) “Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign, and I established the duties of the priests and Levites, each in his work; and I provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.”

These statements have always struck me as particularly interesting. At first, they might sound self-indulgent or prideful, like Nehemiah is boasting about how great a person he is, but I don’t think that is what is happening here. I think that he is genuinely desiring for God to see that Nehemiah has devoted his life to the service of God. Here at the end of his record, Nehemiah is not concerned with how his people will see him or what history will remember him for. Nehemiah is most concerned–even desperate–that God is going to remember him for his obedience.

I can understand why Nehemiah would be desperate for God to remember him. This book takes place in a time of Israel’s history where a faithful person might not be confident that their sacrifices are even being received. The covenant of Moses has long been broken, and the people of Israel are scattered in exile and live under the rule of a pagan nation. Earlier in this same chapter, the high priest, the man who is supposed to be interceding for the people’s sins, is selling rooms in the temple to the pagan enemies of Israel. Anyone would be concerned about their standing before God in such a situation. So, here at the end of the book, Nehemiah makes his appeal to God based on the only thing that he can control: his obedience to what God commanded him to do.

I admire Nehemiah as a person, and I think the fact that he ends the book this way speaks highly about his character. However, the main reason I like these statements so much is because it reminds me that while Nehemiah only had a faint hope that his deeds would be remembered by God, those of us who follow God today are so strongly assured of this that we often take it for granted. We are told time and time again in the New Testament that so long as we are faithful to him, there is nothing in heaven or on earth that can take us from the sight of God.

John 10:27-30 (ESV) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Revelation 3:5 (ESV) “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”

2 Timothy 2:19 (ESV) “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.’”

Today we have a full confidence that we are remembered by God. Not only that, just like Nehemiah asked God to be remembered for good, God will also remember us for good and he tells us that our evil deeds can be washed away.

Hebrews 8:11-12 (ESV) “And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

Looking at Nehemiah, I see a man who was desperate to have the same blessings that I have received in abundance. Today, I have a confidence far beyond Nehemiah’s that God will remember the deeds that I have done in his service, and that I will receive a great reward for them on the last day.

All of us who follow God’s word can do better in appreciating how great of a gift it is for us to be known and remembered by God. God will not forget about us or works that we have done in following his law. This gift is a blessing and an assurance that has been desired by people throughout time, and we should all take care not to forget just how incredible of a blessing it is.