It’s amazing that when we are confronted with new challenges, we often fail to remember past victories. Because of current problems we are facing, we forget that we’ve gone through similar or worse situations before.
The Apostle Paul makes this statement in his second letter to Timothy, in chapter 1, verse 6: “I put you in remembrance that you stir up the gift of God which is in you by the putting on of my hands.” OK, so Paul has never put his hands on you. But, he is putting you in remembrance of the gift of God which is in you. What gift is that? The gift of faith.
From Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 12, verse 3, we learn this from the latter half of the verse: ” … think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Now, let me emphasize the next comment is what I believe regarding that phrase. Everyone say, “It’s what he believes.” EVERY person HAS BEEN dealt the measure of faith. Every person! The person who calls him\herself a Christian AND the person who says, “There is no god.” Every person. Every person has been dealt the measure of faith. Why do I say that? Because anyone – murderer, lier, adulterer, thief, non-believer – can act on the measure of faith already resident in them, at any moment, and become a believer. No devil or demon or angel can stop that from happening when the decision is made and exercised. The measure of faith to make that decision was already in residence. After the decision and declaration – Jesus, I accept You as my Savior – is made, we are to live by faith.
I believe Paul was telling us to stir up the gift (of faith) which is (already) in us in order to face any situation that comes our way. We are to draw from our memories the victories that God has demonstrated in the past. And if you have no prior victories, just recall the first one you experienced – your salvation – and know it’s the first of many to come! Don’t look at the current circumstances and cower, but look to past deliverances and rejoice .. now! OK?