Pastor's Ponderings, November 7, 2016

God Has Not Forgotten You

The Israel Houghton song “Not Forgotten” has the powerful lyrics, “I am not forgotten, God knows my name.” The song goes on to say, “Father to the fatherless, Friend to the friendless, Hope for the hopeless, He knows my name.”  No matter what we have done or no matter how we feel about our life, God is still thinking about us.  It does not matter that our doctors, lawyers, bankers, employers, spouses, friends, or relatives have forgotten us. He still remembers us (Jeremiah 29:11). 

We may feel cast aside and forced to live meaningless lives until we leave this earth with no one to remember us. But, God said that He would not forget us and He has engraved us on His palms (Isaiah 49:14-16).  Even though we may knowingly commit sins or even question if there is a God, Jesus showed that He was still in our corner when He died for us (Romans 5:8). He has even prepared a mansion for those who love Him (John 14:2).   He is like the mother hen, seeing the coming storm, clucks for her chicks to come near so that she can cover them with her feathers (Luke 13:34).  

In spite of the hustle and bustle of life and its many demands, we should take time to remember God who remembers us.  We can rest in that blessed assurance that the same God that created the universe is the same God that has you on His mind and wants the best for His children. He is eternally our Father, our friend, and our blessed hope.

Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Isaiah 49:14-16
New International Version (NIV)

14 But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.”

15 “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!

16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

Romans 5:8
New International Version (NIV)

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 14:2
New International Version (NIV)

2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

Luke 13:34
New International Version (NIV)
34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.