The Wisdom of Remembering & the Wisdom to ForgetSampel

God does not forget his children

The relationship of the Israelites with God was characterized by their recurring unfaithfulness and God’s righteous punishment and loving correction. It reached rock-bottom when the Lord allowed foreign kings to take Israel into exile. The people complained that “the Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” (Isaiah 49:14)

But this was not true. God’s judgment was difficult to endure, but it was not proof that He had forsaken his people. The prophet Isaiah told the people that God will never forget them just like a woman will not forget her baby. And even if a mother would ever do so, God won’t. When Jesus returns to his Father in heaven and will thus no longer be with his disciples physically anymore, He assures them: “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

In our despair, we may cry out: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He may seem so far away. You may wonder whether the Lord hears your prayers since He does not seem to answer. If you are in such a situation right now, please take Isaiah 49 to heart. God will never forget you.