Peter, in writing the second epistle to the church scattered throughout many regions, with the thought of martyrdom facing him (as he previously mentions), writes the message that is most needed to Christians.

He knows that after he has departed to be with the Lord, there will be struggles and battles, especially in the mind, and against the will of God. He knows that all thoughts are not pure and of God.

So he writes in this second epistle that he wants to stir up their pure minds, and he uses—as the means (or the spoon) to stir—the way of remembrance. He asks them to recall to mind, to think back and let certain memories be revived, of the words spoken by the prophets, etc. No doubt tempest and strife were uppermost in their minds, and the pureness had settled to the bottom and needed to be stirred again (by way of remembrance).

How often we need to be reminded of the precious promises God has given us. How often do the enemy and the flesh cause us to forget not only the promises of God, but the wonderful things God has already done for us?

We read in Mark 6:45-52 about Jesus telling His disciples to get into a ship, while He goes to a mountain to pray. The tempest came. They were struggling and toiling against the winds, their pure minds had settled. They could think of nothing else but the storm and the danger. With sereneness and poise, Jesus appeared on the scene: “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

Wasn’t that enough to stir up their pure minds as they remembered the miracles He had done in the past? If their faith had settled, and the waves had risen so high that their faith was surmounted, wouldn’t the appearance of Jesus walking on the water, with such comforting words cause them to be calm and stir up their pure minds by way of remembrance?

But in the 51st verse of the 6th chapter of Mark, we read that they were amazed in themselves, beyond measure, and wondered. Why? The answer is in the 52nd verse: “For they considered not (or remembered not) the miracle of the loaves: for their hearts were hardened.” Weymouth says, “For they had not learned the lesson taught by the loaves, but their minds were dull.” Have our minds become dull because we have not learned past lessons? Have the struggles and toils of life caused us to forget? Jesus says “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid,” and Peter says “I stir up your pure mind by way of remembrance.”

Let us also turn to Luke 24:13, where the two disciples are on their way to Emmaus. The tempest (spiritually) was against them, doubts, unbelief trying to take possession; Jesus had been taken, beaten, mocked and crucified, and they were in danger—what about the great promises? But Jesus drew near and walked with them. He said they were sad, so we know a little of how they felt.

Jesus knew they needed to be stirred. He knew their faith had settled or was about to, and what did He use to stir them? The way of remembrance. He recalled to their minds the words of the prophets, He expounded to them the Scriptures concerning Himself, until their pure minds were stirred (by way of remembrance).

And in verse 31 of the 24th chapter of Luke, we read, “And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him.” Because He had stirred up their pure minds, even their hearts were touched, as well as their eyes and their understanding, for their hearts were caused to burn within them as He talked (or recalled to their minds the Scriptures).

Why don’t we have our pure minds in their place? For different reasons, I suppose, because of the tempests, the fight of the enemy. But I know of one reason, perhaps the greatest: because we don’t want them stirred.

To think, to recall, to remember God’s words brings dealing, and then out of that dealing comes the responsibility. We are plainly confronted with God’s word; what will we do about it? Then after we are reminded of our responsibility, the woe, if we do not heed the word and obey. Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:16 says, “For necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me,” etc.

Most people do not want to have their pure minds stirred by way of remembrance. In fact, most have their minds made up how far they will go, what they will do, what God can expect of them (but most what they expect from Him). Therefore, they will not allow their pure minds to be stirred, mainly because of the woe.

Woe is a sentence and also a punishment pronounced, especially upon those who have light and yet won’t receive it as such. As Jesus upbraided the different cities where most of His mighty deeds were done, He cried to each one, “Woe,” because of the light they had refused. Woe, for greater than a prophet was in their midst. Worse for them than for the cities in other dispensations, because He had done mighty works before their eyes (Matthew 11:21).

Yet for them to think straight, to recall the words of the prophets, would have caused them to accept the Nazarene. And they didn’t want Him, at the cost of their souls. They had made up their minds, and they wouldn’t be changed. So the sentence of woe was pronounced upon them by Jesus and will be fulfilled throughout all eternity.

Let us say with Isaiah, “Woe is me.” He confessed his need to God, pronouncing his own sentence, at the same time repenting, letting God stir up his pure mind, as he confessed his uncleanness and undone condition. God took away his iniquity and purged his sin.

Let us listen closely to the result of all of this. Isaiah’s ears were opened, he heard the Lord talking, saying, “Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” Hallelujah.

Isaiah answered the call, “Here am I, send me.” He had been stirred from the depths. His uncleanness and sin were gone, but that wasn’t the end. The Lord had need of someone, and Isaiah was ready. The Lord said, “Go and tell,” etc., and we know Isaiah obeyed.

I like that hymn “Have I forgotten?” Have I? Have you? Forgotten the call of the Master? Have we forgotten that sweet sacred day? When to His pleading we gladly made answer, “Here Lord am I, send even me”? Or have we forgotten our part in it all? Lord, help thy servant to fail thee no longer. Tho’ it is late, I go at thy call.

“I now write unto you beloved—I seek to revive in your sincere minds certain memories,—so that you may recall the words spoken beforehand by the Holy Prophets—and the commandment of our Lord and Saviour given through your Apostles” (2 Peter 3:1, Weymouth).