Psalm 13: 1: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
The opening verse is a prayer of David. The nature and degree of the challenges he was going through made him think God had forgotten him, thereby questioning Him. It is not a character of God to forget His children.
The people of the Old Testament had a limited revelation of God’s character. Every statement of the Bible was truly stated, but not everything said by people were statements of truth about God.
God does not forget His children and has no capacity to forget. Nothing escapes His sight.
You are unforgettable
Look at what Isaiah 49:15 says: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you”
The statement “I will not forget you” is a remarkable promise. It is first a promise to Israel, and to the Church of Jesus Christ. It is also a promise to everyone who trusts in the Lord.
Sometimes the perplexities of life tend to discourage us and weigh us down. It seems as though God has forgotten us, but He never forgets. He will never fail you or forsake you. He will walk with you through every dark valley. The God who has numbered every hair on your head and knows every sparrow that falls to the ground is aware of every detail of your situation. He is using your suffering and pain in ways you would not believe if someone told you.
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10).
His Spirit dwells in us
Remember, as Christians born of God, we are having His Spirit indwelling in us. There is no way God will ever forget you. Your mistakes or sins have no power to make Him forget you. God does not remember you because you gave an offering or sowed seed. You are forever remembered because He is your good father. Fathers do not forget their children.
It is therefore an expression of ignorance to entertain the thought that something you did or did not do has made God forget you. We are therefore not to pray like how David prayed. We know better now. I know sometimes the puzzlements of life tend to discourage us and weigh us down, and it seems like God does not exist or does not know about our situation. In fact God loves you as if you are the only one to love. You are unforgettable to Him.
He knows your name
Isaiah 49:16 says: “I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” The Old Testament high priest bore the names of the tribes of Israel on his shoulders and over his heart (Exodus 28:6–9). These names were engraved on jewels and attached to the priest’s clothing. But God has etched the names of His children on His palms. In the original language, the word ‘engraved’ means ‘to cut into.’ Our names are permanently cut into God’s own flesh. They are ever in front of His eyes.
God longs to be our main source of comfort in times of loneliness and loss. Isaiah 66:13 confirms that God loves us like a compassionate and comforting mother: “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.”
Psalm 103:13 restates that God loves us like a compassionate and comforting father: “The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.”
You are your Father’s priority and He is so interested in your wellbeing.
Depend on Him
1 Peter 5:7 says: “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”
Your earthly parents, knowing that you are their child can go too far lengths to ensure you have a good life. They protect, feed, shelter, clothe you and make sure you are well taken care of. They even go as far as taking care of your friends, simply because they are friends with you. Now, if your earthly parents could do all that for you, how much love and care do you think your heavenly Father has for you?
Your connection to your heavenly Father is total and complete. He is really your heavenly Father by spiritual birth. So, whatever is important to you is important to Him. He cares about you affectionately; you are His highest priority. He loves you as much as He loves Jesus. He is more ambitious about your success than you are for yourself. This should make you rejoice, and take worry away from your life permanently.
By Pr Ben Odongo
