Have you had times in your life that seemed completely hopeless, and then God unexpectedly intervened? When we encounter a new challenge, we often forget God’s faithfulness in the past. The challenge that we are presently facing distorts our vision. We forget the similar times we have faced hardship when God has faithfully supplied our needs or taken care of our problems. We fail to remember how we overcame once before with God’s help.
When Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy in Ephesus, this younger man was trying to encourage the Christians there to keep living for Christ even though Nero, who had become emperor of the Roman Empire, was persecuting them. Many were even being put to death. Timothy was tempted to fear for his own life.
Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:5: “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”
Paul wanted to remind Timothy that the genuine faith in his grandmother and his mother was also in him. His grandmother and his mother had trusted God, and He had never failed them. If God had never failed his grandmother and his mother, he certainly was not going to fail him.
“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance,” Paul said in the very next verse, “that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6).
The phrase “I put thee in rememberance” is taken from the Greek word “anamimnesko” which is the combination of two words, “ana” and “mimnesko.” The word “ana” means again or to repeat something. The word “mimnesko” means to be reminded of something. Together these two words mean to remember or recollect memories. Paul wanted Timothy to know he should replay in his mind continuously the times God had been faithful.
There are good memories of God’s faithfulness that we should never forget! We should also continually replay in our minds the times God has been faithful to us—the times He has delivered and healed and provided for us.
Just as Paul reminded Timothy, He also reminds us to take our eyes off whatever is our present trouble and remember God’s saving power in the past. If we really considered our past, we would find that we have faced problems much worse than what we are facing right now. God never failed us. He rescued us and turned those situations around.
Never forget what God has already done for you. Don’t forget He has healed you. He has delivered you. He has guided you. He has brought you through hard times. He has provided for you in times of financial need. He has protected you from the enemy. These memories of God’s faithfulness will encourage you to face your current predicament with faith. Just as God has always been faithful to you in the past, He will be faithful to you now.
The next time the enemy says you are not going to get through what you are facing, draw close to the Lord. Quieten your mind. Let the Holy Spirit take captive your thoughts. Stir up the gift of faith God has given you. Replay in your mind those good memories of the times God made a way when there seemed to be no way. As you recall those memories over and over in your mind, your faith will grow stronger, and you will confidently face your challenge with trust in God to come through for you again.
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