Forgetfulness

[277 words]

Ever forget something? Sure you have. If it is any consolation, you are not alone. All of us can forget and often do. 

Some years ago, a researcher from Johns Hopkins University compiled a list of what we forget most often. At the top of the list was names (83 percent), followed by where something is (60 percent), words (53 percent) and faces (42 percent). Any of those a problem for you?

It is obvious that the researcher forgot to check on spiritual forgetfulness. Maybe he/she forgot to question whether people being surveyed ever forgot the goodness of God, the promises of God, the love of God, or the expectations of God. 

Long ago, God used men to address the problem of forgetfulness. For instance, Moses warned his people not to forget the things their eyes had seen (Deut. 4:9), or forget the covenant (4:23), or even forget the Lord (6:12), or His commandments (8:11). He reminded them what their forgetfulness would cost them (Deut. 8:19). 

The Psalmist understood that it was important not to forget God’s word. In Psalm 119, he reiterated his conviction in vs. 16, 83, 93, 109, 141, 153 and 176. We can believe the determination not to forget God’s word would help him to remember what was truly important in God’s sight. 

The Jews of Isaiah’s day thought God had forgotten them (Isa. 49:14). God reminded them, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you” (49:15).

Please don’t forget this: Our God doesn’t forget us. 

Allen Hahn
Graeber Road church of Christ
Rosenberg, TX

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