SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                       1083

“Not Forgotten”

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. – Psalm 139:17; Luke 12:6

Have you ever felt forgotten by God? There are times in our lives where we feel like we are in exile. Sometimes we feel like we are being punished by God and He is turning a deaf ear to our cries for mercy and deliverance. This is such a time for me and perhaps for you also.

I imagine Noah may have experienced such feelings being shut in for months in the ark. We know David did as is evidenced in his Psalms. How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? – Psalm 13:1-2

Joseph was also a man favored and loved by God, yet as we look at his life we see setbacks, trials and difficulties. How he must have despaired. Yet he never wavered in his faith and trust in God. Joseph’s hindsight statement to his brothers sums it all up. As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. – Genesis 50:20

Whenever I am distressed by setbacks and trials in this life I am reminded to turn to God’s Word and to be strengthened and encouraged by the Truth therein as the Holy Spirit ministers to me through the Living Word of God. And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. – 1 Samuel 30:6

You are not forgotten by God. Hear His Word and be encouraged and strengthened:

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands… “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”…For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope…And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Isaiah 49:16; Hebrews 13:5; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28

A story is told about an artist that is just beginning to apply the first broad strokes to the canvas. A passerby asks what the painting is about. The artist describes an idyllic mountain valley scene resplendent with life and vibrant colors. The passerby comments that they do not see it to which the artist replies, ‘give it time – in due time it will be completed’.

Like the artist, God is painting the canvas of our life and it will be marvelous. We cannot see the end result now but God does and He will bring it to fruition. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1

Lord I cry out to you in my time of distress. I repent of my lack of faith and failure to trust in You as these trials seem to drag on without an end in sight. Encourage my heart by Your Word and grant me the grace to persevere in trust and hope in You.