Put Yourself in Remembrance

After posting 370 entries and publishing 2 books over a period of 9 years, it often seemed that there could be not much more to share! But it’s not looking for something new to share that’s important to our faith walk. It’s actually the process of hearing and hearing and hearing God’s Word that establishes His Truth and wonderful promises in our lives (Romans 10:17). Repetition is a vital aspect of the learning process. Memory is necessary to strong faith.

Two Scripture references caught my attention as I considered the value of repetition to our maturing faith. Both Paul and Peter wrote of this:

…To keep writing to you {over and over} of the same things is not irksome to me, and it is a precaution for your safety. (Philippians 3:1)

So I intend always to remind you of these things, although indeed you know them and are firm in the truth that {you} now {hold}. I think it right as long as I am in this tabernacle (tent, body) to stir you up by way of remembrance. (2 Peter 1:12-13)

Our Father knows His creation. He knows how we perceive and understand and grow in faith. He asks us, expects us, to honor Him by trusting Him (Hebrews 10:38), and through the gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to do just that.

But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby) the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My Name {in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf} He will teach you all these things. He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. (John 14:25) {Emphasis mine}

In their book Secrets to Powerful Prayer, authors Patsy Cameneti and Lynne Hammond tell of a traveling evangelist who, upon learning of his daughter’s sudden illness and need for prayer, went first to the Word of God to re-establish himself in God’s promises before successfully praying for her healing. This was a man whose life was devoted to the teaching and preaching of the Gospel. Despite that he wisely chose to remind himself – to feed again on God’s promises; to firmly establish his heart in God’s Truth concerning healing. He was bringing to his remembrance the “unchangeableness” of God (Hebrews 6:17). For it is “impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us.” (Hebrews 6:18).

Throughout Israel’s history in the Old Testament the Lord established feasts and monuments to be memorials forever (Joshua 4:7) of His goodness and protection and provision. When David valiantly approached Goliath, he purposefully remembered when God saved him from the lion and the bear to stir up his faith for the challenge he was about to face (1 Samuel 17:37). Our Lord Jesus gave to His church the Communion supper to be done “in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19) – “to call Me {affectionately} to remembrance” (1 Corinthians 11:25). Our walk of faith thrives on remembering.

As we walk among the people of this world whose eyes and thoughts are turned rebelliously away from God we must earnestly attend to the well being of our hearts and spirits. Remembering guides and guards our faith walk. Like David we say, “I remember what the Lord has done for me – His loving-kindness and faithfulness – a healing, encouragement through the Word or from others – “a word fitly spoken and in due season” (Proverbs 25:11), provision when it was needed, guidance and clear direction for my life choices. He will always lead me well! Faith is remembering what our Father has already done and an ongoing expectation that He will continue to keep me in His loving care (1 Peter 5:7).