The tour guide smiled and said, “Follow me.” I was visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral in London more than a dozen years ago. With a couple days to spare between speaking engagements, I jumped on one of the famous red double-decker buses and saw the Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London. But I was especially interested in seeing the historic 17th century church that survived two bombings during World War II.
My father-in-law told me that as a college student he once visited the famous church located at the highest point in the city of London. He explained that in the American Memorial Chapel on the east side was a set of books with a record of all 28,000 Americans who fought and died on British soil during the Second World War. Listed among the names was his uncle whose plane was shot down in April 1942.
Roll of Honor
So I was excited to follow six others as the guide led us to the eastern apse where the Roll of Honor was located. The elderly woman guided us toward a table with several books and patiently asked each person the name they were seeking. Then she carefully opened a book and held it at angle to be photographed. I was amazed to see my wife’s great uncle’s name listed and carefully recorded the event. Her family was pleased to see the pictures.
Someday I will approach my Heavenly Father and ask to see a book of remembrance. My Lord will lead me through a beautiful building that far exceeds the beauty and splendor of St. Paul’s. There I will gaze on the records of angels who created a testament of the good things done for God. “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name” (Malachi 3:16).
Nehemiah was aware of this book (Nehemiah 13:14). David wrote about it (Psalm 56:8). Paul penned his positive memories of the Philippian believers (Philippians 1:3), the Thessalonian church (1 Thessalonians 3:6) and of Timothy, his true son in the faith (2 Timothy 1:5). God also keeps a record of the good things we have done for heaven’s glory. Just as our own picture albums and memorials of loved ones bring back positive memories, in the same way our Father in heaven loves to keep in mind the wonderful deeds we’ve carried out. God remembers.
