The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
“Always In Remembrance”
“Well, there went Parson Brown, repeating himself again!”
Mrs. Johnson spoke the words somewhat ruefully to Mrs. Simpson, her friend and fellow parishioner. Mrs. Simpson did not, however, join in the slight of she and Mrs Johnson’s pastor.
“And aren’t you glad he did, Irma? Remember what the Apostle Peter wrote.”
“I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth” (II Peter 1:12).
Sometimes considered “the preacher’s best friend” because of its license and even encouragement for repetition, Peter’s affirmation speaks to every believer’s ongoing need to be reminded of truths perhaps already known, but which need to be recalled and known better. The Apostle again speaks to the issue:
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18).
Which truth can we be said to know so well that we we require no repetition ? Where do no longer need growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus? The Psalmist and the Apostle Paul unite to answer…
“His understanding is infinite… If any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know” (Psalm 147:5; I Corinthians 8:2).
An eternal Being, whose knowledge transcends all measure, has communicated Himself to us in the Holy Spirit’s gift and revelation of Scripture. The most elemental statement of the Bible far transcends the cumulative knowledge of the entire human race by a span beyond complete understanding. We will forever learn new wonders of God and His truth, or be enhanced in truth already known. Indeed, repetition serves not only “the preacher’s best friend.” It forever abides as the dear friend of every believer, to be cherished by all, and to be acknowledged as absolutely necessary for every trusting heart.
Consider what could be argued as the simplest statement of spiritual truth found in Scripture: “There is one God” (I Timothy 2:5). Simple indeed - unless the one God affirmed also happens to be triune. He is, meaning that eternity will not be long enough to fully fathom the wonder of our Lord’s transcendent substance, being, and nature (II John 1:3; Hebrews 1:8; Acts 5:3). A preacher who announced to his congregation that every Sunday morning sermon for the rest of his ministry would address the wonder of one God existing "from everlasting to everlasting" in three glorious Persons would never exhaust the subject (Psalm 90:2). Moreover, whatever repetition he offered would be beneficial in illumination, encouragement, and challenge to every congregant.
Let us find the passage of Scripture most familiar to our hearts and minds, pondering the words and being grateful for what we have already discovered. Then let us look beyond the words into the depths of the infinite Ocean from which they enter into our awareness. Regardless of how deeply we dive into God and His truth, no seabed will ever be plumbed. So, when Parson Brown is found “repeating himself again,” let us heed Mrs. Simpson’s wise acknowledgement of the Apostle Peter’s wise determination to “not be negligent” in repetition of Truth infinitely sublime, and ever essential to our hearts and minds.
“Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance, knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.”
(II Peter 1:13-15)
Weekly Memory Verse
There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.”
(Joshua 21:45).
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