Do you reread books? If so, is it because the book was so good you needed to read it again? Or, perhaps it is because the book contained excellent, useful material that you wanted to solidify in your learning?
I have reread several books for a variety of reasons, including those above. Some books are just really that good. Others are so rich with information, I want to study through them again, sucking as much learning from the pages as I can. I’m currently rereading a book I read over ten years ago for that very reason.
Repetition does not always equate with redundancy.
Remembering Solidifies Our Faith
When it comes to scripture, rehearsing the acts of God provides a bedrock for our faith. Look at how David exhorted the people.
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered.
– Psalm 105:5, ESV
Following the exhortation above, David invested the next thirty-eight verses reminding the people, “God did this, and God did that, and God did another thing; another mighty work.” And then he told them why God did all these things.
…that they might keep his statutes
and observe his laws.
Praise the LORD!
– Psalm 105:5, ESV
Remembering God’s activity serves as a basis for our own activity and our obedience.
When we think of such calls for remembrance, the tendency is to see these as Old Covenant admonitions. It’s true that throughout the Old Testament, the people of God set up memorials, heaps of stones, and pillars, specifically to remember God’s work in their lives. The activity typically concluded with a statement like, “Let this pillar serve as a remembrance for you . . . “
We have the same instruction from the apostles of Jesus. The apostle Paul urged Timothy to put the Ephesian believers in remembrance of specific things so the people will be “trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.”1 He later reminded Timothy to kindle afresh the gift of God within himself.2
The apostle Peter wrote as a reminder to stimulate believers to “wholesome thinking.”3 Before doing so, he made a rather bold proclamation regarding remembering in light of his own impending death.
Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
– 2 Peter 1:12-15, ESV
Remembering Corrects Our Course
When the church in Corinth seemed to have lost its way, Paul wrote to them about correcting their course.
I urge you, then, be imitators of me. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.
– 1 Corinthians 4:16-17, ESV
Remembering Encourages Others
On various missionary journeys, the apostle Paul and his partners in the gospel would return to the cities in which they had planted churches. They did this to remind them, “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”4
Similarly, the apostle Peter called for remembrance.
This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles.
– 2 Peter 3:1-2, ESV
On the heels of this, Peter launched into a lengthy exhortation to stand firm, because horrible times were coming, but Jesus is coming as well, and we should be patient and watchful.
The psalmist, Asaph, pledged to God that he would remember.
Then I said, “I will appeal to this,
to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
– 2 Peter 3:1-2, ESV
Blessings upon you, my friends, as you remember
Victoriously in Christ!
– damon
DamonJGray.org
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1. 1 Timothy 4:6
2. 2 Timothy 1:6
3. 2 Peter 3:1
4. Acts 14:22, ESV
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All good and timely points, Damon. And it reminds me (no pun intended) of the rules of discernment from St. Ignatius – that in times of desolation, remember times of consolation. The devil would like very much for us to think times of hardship or distress are inevitable and never-ending, but we have faith that God has not forgotten us or abandoned us.
Hello Julie! Thanks for weighing in on this.
There are times when I’ve been in a crowd that was asked, “Share what the Lord has been doing in your life recently,” and I sit there numb trying to think of it. In my spiritual blindness, I see life as just coasting freely along, until someone starts sharing, and then someone else, and then someone else, and the scales fall from my eyes and I can see God’s hand moving in my life so clearly!