Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”
You’re probably familiar with the saying, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” We often hear it around 9/11. Knowledge of the past not only helps us avoid making the same mistakes, it also prepares us for future battles.
When Winston Churchill stood almost as a singular voice against the Nazis, he was in the process of writing a history of England. As he recalled Britain’s former victories—like defeating the Saxons in the eleventh century and the indominable Spanish Armada in 1588—he found courage to defy Hitler’s onslaught. Churchill’s stand indisputably saved the free world.
As believers, the importance of remembering our past carries no less weight. Moses spent the last months of his life preparing Israel for victory in the Promised Land. How? By reviewing their history and reminding them of God’s call to them as a nation. His words infused them with courage to face the upcoming battles.
Bible stories, according to the Apostle Paul, were not recorded for us to sit quietly on our bookshelves. They were written to teach us how to endure through difficulties, be encouraged through problems and have hope.
Do you ever feel like you’re facing a pit of hungry lions? People ready to pounce on your every word to devour your influence? I have some politician friends who find courage to stand against their opponents when they remember how God closed the mouths of lions surrounding Daniel (Daniel 6).
Or maybe you feel like throwing in the towel. You’ve prayed and prayed with no apparent results. Then you remember the parable Jesus told about the persistent friend. So you discard your weariness and keep knocking (Luke 11:5-9).
Perhaps you face a coalition of troubles in your family, your checkbook, your workplace. You think you could never have victory over this “vast army” arrayed against you. Then you remember Jehoshaphat when he cried out to God, “We don’t know what to do but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20). And you gain faith for another day.
So friend, draw strength from the Scriptures. God’s word gives us help to endure, encouragement to overcome and hope for the future.
It’s why we remember.