Memory is frequently the slave of despair. Despairing minds call up every dark foreboding from the past and dwell on every gloomy feature in the present. Memory, dressed in sackcloth, presents to the mind a cup of mingled gall and wormwood.

But there is no necessity for this! Wisdom can readily transform memory into an angel of comfort. That same recollection which in its left hand brings so many gloomy omens may be trained to bear in its right a wealth of hopeful signs. She need not wear a crown of iron—she may encircle her brow with a crown of gold, all spangled with stars!

Thus it was in Jeremiah's experience. In the previous verse, memory had brought him to deep humiliation of soul: "My soul has them still in remembrance and is humbled in me." But now this same memory restored him to life and comfort: "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope." Like a two-edged sword, his memory first killed his pride with one edge, then slew his despair with the other.

Here's the principle: if we would exercise our memories more wisely, we might, in our very darkest distress, strike a match which would instantaneously kindle the lamp of comfort. There is no need for God to create a new thing upon the earth to restore believers to joy! If they would prayerfully rake the ashes of the past, they would find light for the present. If they would turn to the book of truth and the throne of grace, their candle would soon shine as aforetime.

Be it ours to remember the lovingkindness of the Lord and to rehearse his deeds of grace! Let us open the volume of recollection which is so richly illuminated with memorials of mercy, and we shall soon be happy. Thus memory may be, as Coleridge calls it, "the bosom-spring of joy." And when the Divine Comforter bends it to his service, it may be chief among earthly comforters.