TEXT:

‘Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you’ (Isaiah 49:15 GNT).

During Job’s great trial of affliction, he complained, ‘My family is gone, and my close friends have forgotten me’ (Job 19:14 NLT). Have you ever felt like that and said the same as Job? To make matters worse, Job thought God had forgotten him too, but he found out later that nothing was further from the truth. The end God planned was a restoration of health, finances, and family. In Part 1, we studied how God won’t forget the barren, those interceding for their family, and those who honour Him by doing His will. In Part 2, we consider another three examples of those God won’t forget!

4. God remembered His covenant and helped those suffering because of oppression

The psalmist said, ‘Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?’ (Psalm 43:2). The Children of Israel were being badly mistreated in Egypt, ‘So God heard their groaning and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob’ (Exodus 2:24). God told Moses, ‘You can be sure that I have heard the groans of the people of Israel, who are now slaves to the Egyptians. And I am well aware of my covenant with them’ (Exodus 6:5 NLT).

God also promised, ‘When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies’ (Numbers10:9). When we are being oppressed it is easy to think we’ve been forgotten, but the Bible says, ‘For the eyes of the Lord search back and forth across the whole earth, looking for people whose hearts are perfect toward him, so that he can show his great power in helping them’ (2 Chronicles 16:9 TLB).

When we are persecuted, it’s natural to want revenge, but God says, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay’ (Romans 12:9). That is why Peter exhorted the believers, ‘So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you’ (1 Peter 4:19 NLT).

God won’t forget us in the middle of a battle, especially since He has given us the armour of God, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Through these, we can stand our ground until He delivers us!

5. God remembered the one who prayed and was a giver – ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God!’ (Acts 10:31 NLT)

Cornelius was a Gentile and as such, outside of the promises for God’s people, but God remembered his prayer and what he had given to the poor. God is a giving God and those who are givers, imitate Him and attract His attention. How thrilled Cornelius must have been when, in response to the leading of the Holy Spirit, Peter was willing to come to his house. Not only did everyone invited to hear Peter become Christians, but they were also all filled with the Holy Spirit. God’s response to Cornelius’ prayer and giving, not only blessed  him but enabled many others to be blessed too.

Jesus said, ‘You can be sure that whoever gives even a drink of cold water to one of the least of these my followers because he is my follower, will certainly receive a reward’ (Matthew 10:42 GNT). While we are not giving to be seen, true giving is always seen by someone and that includes God. He remembers and will reward openly.

It’s all too easy to become selfish, but there are wonderful promises for those who think of others. ‘Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health’ (Psalm 41:1-3 NLT).

As you remember others in need, God will remember you and your needs. Who knows what blessings will come your way as you bless others? Paul reminded the Corinthians, ‘Cheerful givers are the ones God prizes’ and ‘God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more, so that there will not only be enough for your own needs, but plenty left over to give joyfully to others’ (2 Corinthians 9:7-8 TLB).

6. Jesus remembered the one who deserved to be forgotten

One of the two thieves crucified with Jesus, criticised the other one for blaspheming Jesus. He said, ‘We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong. Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom’ (Luke 23:41-42 NLT).

How did Jesus respond to his request? ‘Today you will be with me in Paradise. This is a solemn promise’ (Luke 23:43 TLB). And He says the same today to anyone who calls on His name to be saved. Don’t let guilt and condemnation stop you from calling.

As we head towards Easter, let’s not forget why Jesus came. It’s interesting to note, Jesus was able to reassure the thief he wouldn’t be forgotten, even though a few minutes later He would cry out, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?’ (Matthew 27:46). That was the price He paid for our sins, separation from God.

There is nothing of value we can offer God to make atonement for our sins. All we can do is call out like the dying thief did, and the Bible promises God will respond positively for, ‘Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved’ (Romans 10:13).

Finally, the Bible says, ‘Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honour him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore”’ (Ecclesiastes 12:1 NLT). Don’t forget God and He will not forget you!