How often do bring up to your mind answers to prayer, promises from Scripture, moments of Christian joy? We live fast-paced lives; yet even our ancestors—while spending hours on a loom, in a mine, or cultivating fields—found time to be diligent in remembering the Providence of God in their lives.
Jesus gave a command-like statement to His disciples in John 15:20, “Remember the word that I said to you.” In the same way that He challenged, or commanded, them moments earlier to “abide” with Him, He uses the word remember. This is no daydream kind of remembrance, but an active spiritual work.
When we call to mind the Scriptures, Christian experiences, memories of God’s work—even when we remember difficult times and think of how God must have been involved—we are actually taking back what those thoughts and making them captive to Christ, making our mind and heart obedient to Him.
Paul wrote to Timothy, “Remember Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:8). The Word of God cannot be chained—the conscience is made for considering, ruminating, chewing and drawing upon the applications of God’s revelation and affections for His people. Christ has given the work of remembering as a duty and our joy.
We train our habits and our racing thoughts, our anxieties and our experiences, to be far more lively and edifying as we take our thoughts captive and point them to Jesus. Use your memory this week in praise of Christ, by looking to past events and asking prayerfully how God was working. Test your experiences, whether right or wrong actions, by prayerfully remembering how God can still be using those moments. Recall Scripture or anecdotes from Scripture and pray the Spirit lean you into fresh applications, promises, and doctrines from the Word.
Take serious the memories God has given you. He has made you to remember Him—for from Him and to Him and through Him are all things!
Pastor Chris
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