“Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance” (II Peter 1:13).
“Remember the Alamo!” was the battle cry which stirred up the Texas patriots in their battle for independence from Mexico. During the Spanish-American War, the cry was “Remember the Maine!” The surprise Japanese attack on the Pacific fleet inspired the World War II slogan: “Remember Pearl Harbor!”
To many, Pearl Harbor Day still “stirs up” remembrances as we recall the many fathers, friends, and loved ones who sacrificed their lives in defense of liberty during those memorable years. It is good to remember the martyrs and heroes who have gone before, for those who do not learn from history will eventually find themselves repeating history.
The apostle Peter (in his last epistle) was especially concerned that his readers remember all the great evidences of the Christian faith and the great principles of the Christian life: “Wherefore 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).
Then, anticipating his coming martyrdom, he stressed: “Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance” (v.15). Finally: “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior” (3:1,2).
It is good to be “stirred up” to patriotic sacrifice by remembrance of those who have provided and preserved our American liberties, but it is still more important to have our minds (not just our emotions!) stirred up by remembrance of the wonderful works of God. HMM
