Don't Let Them Forget
Maybe it’s the English major in me, but I was very excited when the homework for week two of Summer Study was annotation. I get a lot of satisfaction out of underlining and circling the text. With my colored pencils scattered beside me, I started looking for repetitive words in 2 Timothy. I noticed two similar words right away sticking out in chapters 1 & 2: “remember” and “remind”.
2 Timothy 1:3, “I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you…”
2 Timothy 1:4, “As I remember your tears…”
2 Timothy 1:5, “I am reminded of your sincere faith…”
2 Timothy 1:6, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God…”
2 Timothy 2:8, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel.”
If there’s one thing I know, it’s this: every word of Scripture is intentional.
I probably would have missed these five repetitive words, had I not just seen this theme in the last book I studied, 2 Peter. If there’s one thing I know, it’s this: every word of Scripture is intentional. There must be a reason Peter and Paul both used these words repeatedly in their letters. I got to digging.
Interestingly enough, 2 Peter and 2 Timothy are both the last books written by their authors. In 2 Peter, Peter knew his life would end soon. He wanted to make sure the church remembered the truth and was not swayed by false teachers. He says in 2 Peter 3:1-2 (emphasis mine), “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.”
In 2 Timothy, Paul also seems to know his life will end soon, and doesn’t want Timothy to forget to take action and use the gifts God has given him. He tells Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God and to not be afraid or ashamed. Maybe Timothy was quick to forget the power the Holy Spirit could give him? How quickly do we forget the same! Paul has a confidence in his faith he seems to want to remind Timothy (and all of us!) that he (we) can have too!
The theme of remembering isn’t just in 2 Timothy or 2 Peter; it’s throughout all of Scripture. A quick search on the Blue Letter Bible app says that “remember” is used more than 160 times in the ESV translation. I think about the very first book of the Bible, Genesis, and how God says a rainbow will be a sign to “remember my covenant” to never flood the world again. Or later in Deuteronomy, when Moses is about to cross into the Promised Land, he carefully considers his parting words to include the fact that they should not forget!
““Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (Deuteronomy 4:9, emphasis mine)
Even the act of communion is all about remembering. ”The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25, emphasis mine)
Clearly God knows we’re all a little more prone to forgetfulness than we’d care to admit. This is probably why Paul was apt to use this same theme in his book. Paul knows God longs for us to remember Him and spur each other toward remembering Him as well.
I’d probably be losing hope by now if it wasn’t for the body of believers God has put in my life.
All of this study on remembering has been so good for me recently. For almost an entire year, my husband and I have been praying and asking God to grow our family and give us another child. Month after month of negative pregnancy tests can be so hard. I’d probably be losing hope by now if it wasn’t for the body of believers God has put in my life. The Lord has given my husband and me believers to encourage us and remind us of His faithfulness. When I’m doubting whether God even answers prayers anymore, my family and friends have been quick to help me remember the abundance of already answered prayers in my life. It is such a gift and renews my hope every time!
Friends, we desperately need to read Scripture to remember who God is. We also desperately need other believers to remind us of the answered prayers. So my challenge to you is to encourage a friend or family member this week in a way you have seen God move in their life. Take some time to remind them of how they’ve seen God answer prayer or bless them in some way. Don’t let them forget.
Jen Ward is the Written Content Contributor for DWITW. Jen wants to live in a world where chocolate croissants grow on trees, all babies automatically sleep through the night, and every woman feels empowered to study Scripture on her own. Connect with Jen via Instagram @JenieAnn.