Never Forgotten

An elderly couple went to the doctor complaining about their memory loss. The doctor explained it is normal, and suggested they try and write things down. In the evening the husband said, "I'm going to get something to snack on. Do you want something?" "I'll take some ice cream please," said the wife. He started off and she said, "Better write that down." He said, "No need." She added, "Put some strawberries on top, and write this down." He said, "No need." Again she added, "I need some nuts on that too. Better write it down." He gave her a look. Much later he returned with bacon and eggs. "I told you to write it down, " she said, "Where is my toast?"

The older I become, the more truth there is to this humorous little story. We do tend to forget more easily as we grow older. However, we do not have a God who forgets! The prophet Isaiah spoke to the people of Israel long ago about this very truth.

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted. But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. Your builders make haste; your destroyers and those who laid you waste go out from you.” (Isaiah 49:13-17 ESV).

Deep in our hearts we believe in a good God. Yet how shallow is our understanding of His goodness, especially since we see many things that seem to deny it. It is then that we must return to the truth of Scripture and trust in the eternal memory of our heavenly Father. Corrie Ten Boom illustrates this point for us. She wrote:

“Often I have heard people say, ‘How good God is! We prayed that it would not rain for our church picnic, and look at the lovely weather!’ Yes, God is good when He sends good weather. But God was also good when He allowed my sister, Betsie, to starve to death before my eyes in a German concentration camp. I remember one occasion when I was very discouraged there. Everything around us was dark, and there was darkness in my heart. I remember telling Betsie that I thought God had forgotten us. ‘No, Corrie,’ said Betsie, ‘He has not forgotten us. Remember His Word: “For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him.” ” Corrie concludes, “There is an ocean of God’s love available—there is plenty for everyone. May God grant you never to doubt that victorious love—whatever the circumstances.”

The last line of the prophet’s words has become so vivid for me as I have gotten a bit older.
Since I don’t have a high profile position in the community I can go just about anywhere and not be stopped by people who just want to say hello or ask a question. I have become somewhat “forgotten.” Now, please don’t feel sorry for me. I am not fishing for sympathy. It is actually quite nice to possess that anonymity. But, it reminds me that regardless of how forgotten I may be now, God writes our names on His hand so that we will ever be before Him. He will NEVER forget us!