"But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance," Hebrews 10:32-34.

(Preached in Bethel FPC at the morning service, 27th Oct '13 by Rev Ivan Foster. First preached in Kilskeery FPC, 28th Aug 1994)

Looking back upon former days in our lives or "Taking a trip down memory lane" is a divine injunction. It is something that God constantly calls His people to do. Of course, we have need of such calls for we are so forgetful. This is especially true of the good and the blessed things we have experienced, see Matt 16:5-10.

What is it God would have us remember? "And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no," Deuteronomy 8:2.

All of God's dealings with us are worthy of recall. Here in the passage before us, is a call to the believers to whom Paul is writing, to remember the days at the beginning of their pilgrimage.