"Not Forgotten" 4/8 Our Daily Bread - Wong Wai Tung
Before embracing labels like “forsaken” or “forgotten,” think again of what God has done in and through His Son, Jesus. In the gospel that brings forgiveness, God has clearly said, “I will not forget you!”
Our Daily Bread Aug 4
Not Forgotten / By: Arthur Jackson I will not forget you!
Isaiah 49:15
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Isaiah 49:14–18 (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. 17 Your children hasten back, and those who laid you waste depart from you. 18 Lift up your eyes and look around; all your children gather and come to you. As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “you will wear them all as ornaments; you will put them on, like a bride.
“Uncle Arthur, do you remember the day you took me to the barbershop and the supermarket? I was wearing tan khakis, a blue-plaid oxford shirt, a navy-blue cardigan, brown socks, and brown Rockport shoes. The date was Thursday, October 20, 2016.” My nephew Jared’s autism-related challenges are offset by his phenomenal memory that can recall details like days and dates and the clothes he was wearing years after an event took place.
Because of the way he’s wired, Jared possesses the kind of memory that reminds me of the all-knowing, loving God—the Keeper of time and eternity. He knows the facts and won’t forget His promises or His people. Have you had moments when you’ve questioned whether or not you’ve been forgotten by God? When others appear to be healthier or happier or more successful or otherwise better off?
Ancient Israel’s less-than-ideal situation caused her to say, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me” (Isaiah 49:14). But that wasn’t the case. God’s compassion and care exceeded the natural bonds of affection that mothers have for their children (v. 15). Before embracing labels like “forsaken” or “forgotten,” think again of what God has done in and through His Son, Jesus. In the gospel that brings forgiveness, God has clearly said, “I will not forget you!” (v. 15).
Today’s Hymns:
I Will Not Forget Thee
I’ll Never Leave or Forsake You
Scripture and Respond:
Isaiah 44:21
“Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant.I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Reflection:
When did you find yourself lonely and being forsaken and forgotten by God? When you think of God’s love being so great that He even sent Jesus to die for your sin, how would this help you go against the feeling of being forgotten by Him?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, when I feel being neglected, forgotten and forsaken, please help me think again of the love manifested in Your sending Jesus to die for me so that I will acknowledge that you will neither forget me nor forsake me in any difficulty.
Wong Wai Tung (Chief Executive Officer of The Great Wall Education Foundation) & Sam Chow (Administrative Officer of The Great Wall Education Foundation) Reflection and prayer translated by Jenny Hung
