God Remembers
by Annie Yorty ©2022
Have your painful earthly experiences led you to wonder if you have been forgotten? Trauma, disappointment, and loss often cause overwhelming loneliness and despair. We begin to wonder if God remembers.
“Помните меня? Я из детского дома.” Do you remember me? I’m from an orphanage.
This plea, sent through social media, pulls every heartstring I have. Over many years I have visited thousands of orphans in Russia to share God’s love and hope. Though our one-time meetings are usually short, God has inextricably bound my heart to them. I can’t imagine ever forgetting them.
The Bible tells us God has a special interest in orphans (James 1:27). That’s because orphans exemplify the lost state of every human being before they come into a child-Father relationship with God through Jesus Christ. But even after receiving adoption as a child into God’s family, we sometimes feel isolated, bereft of support, suspecting that even God has forgotten.
Once we have matured past the teenage years, we usually become aware that we do NOT know everything, and that what we once knew we can easily forget. But the Bible says God is omniscient. All-knowing God cannot forget.
So let’s stipulate that God always remembers.
God never becomes distracted by the requests of other people, wars, calamities, climate events, or any other earthly need. God always sees you and cares.
Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows (Luke 12:6-7 NASB1995).
Then why do we sometimes feel forgotten? It seems to be the human condition. The writers of the psalms often openly expressed this sentiment.
I will say to God my rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy” (Psalm 42:9 NASB1995)?
Oppression often causes us to question God’s memory.
The psalmist in this case pins the problem on his enemy. Exiled by his foe to the north of Jerusalem, he yearned to return to the Temple where God’s presence dwelled. The lonely orphan, bereft of home and family, reached out across the miles, longing for the love of God she had tasted from our meeting years ago.
What oppression are you experiencing right now? Does worry crush your heart and mind? Are you squeezed by the pressure of an injustice? Is a gossip spreading lies, stealing your peace along with your reputation? Does chronic illness and pain buffet your body and thoughts? Perhaps you’re enduring the painful consequences of your own sin.
Jesus, too, suffered oppression that weighed heavily on His humanity, though never from His own sin. But even He, while hanging on the cross engulfed by the darkness of our sin, cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me” (Matthew 27:46b NASB1995)?
Ultimately, all these oppressions are inspired by Satan, the father of lies, who whispers, “Does God really remember?”
A Solution to Doubt
Let’s return to the psalmist to discover a solution to Satan’s lies and our doubts.
Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God (Psalm 42:11 NASB1995).
Hope only in God
Written by Edward Mote in 1834 and still popular today, the song My Hope is Built on Nothing Less defines our hope in God, culminating in the refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
If you are challenged today by thoughts of being forgotten, I pray you meditate on Psalm 42 and be assured that God remembers. Allow this truth to penetrate your oppression and stir up joyful praise for our God.
Something to Think About
[As an aside, there are some verses in the Bible where God says, “I will never again remember their sins” (Hebrews 8:12 NLT). This refers to God deliberately choosing to put your sins out of His sight under the covering of the blood of Jesus’ righteousness as part of His total forgiveness. For that, I’m eternally grateful.]
Join the conversation:
How can you share the hope with people in despair that God remembers?
I welcome your comments!
19 Comments
Katherine Pasour
In our heart, we know that God never forgets us, but in the midst of trials and tragedy, our minds listen to the seeds of doubt sown by the devil and we ask, “God if you are there and you love me, why did you forsake me in my time of need?” The scripture you share in your message shows the fear and despair of the Psalmist, while also reassuring us of God’s trustworthy presence in our lives. He is our refuge and strength. He doesn’t forget us. We have the solid rock.
Annie Yorty
Amen, Katherine! We need to learn to take those doubting thoughts captive as soon as they surface. Thanks for visiting and adding to the conversation.
Barbara Latta
Annie, I love that song. It is a reminder that God is with us and He is the solid Rock who never forgets us. Thanks for sharing.
Annie Yorty
To God be the glory! Thanks for visiting, Barbara.
Jeannie Waters
Annie, what powerful truths you’ve included here. What comfort to remember He’s always with us although our circumstances and thoughts may doubt.
Annie Yorty
God’s truth is our firm foundation. Thank you, Jeannie!
sylvia schroeder
Loved the verses about God’s memory. Thank you Annie!
Annie Yorty
Thank you, Sylvia, for visiting!
Nancy E. Head
I love that God promises to no longer remember my sin. May all the orphans find home. May all find their home in the one who will not forget. Wonderful post, Annie!
Annie Yorty
Amen, Nancy! That is God’s desire.
Joanna
So good to know that God has not forgotten me. He remembers and cares about every aspect of my life. He is a good God.
Annie Yorty
I thank Him with you, Joanna!
Annie Yorty
Who is man that God is mindful of him? Yet it’s true–God intimately cares for us. What an amazing thought! Thanks, Joanna.
Jennifer
When battling Lyme disease I felt forgotten a lot. But God would always show up and give me peace.
Annie Yorty
I have Multiple Sclerosis, so I can certainly identify with that. Satan likes to attack us at our weak points, which are sometimes physical. But I, too, have experienced God’s presence and peace in the middle of my illnesses. God never changes!
Debbie Wilson
I lived in Southern California for a few months before the smog cleared enough for me to see the nearby mountains. After I saw them, when I heard people talk about them I knew they were indeed close by. When we experience God personally, it helps when our feelings blur our vision to remember when I knew He was there. Like the mountain, He hasn’t moved.
Annie Yorty
That’s a great example, Debbie. When I visited Portland, Oregon for the first time, I remember being so surprised when Mt. Hood suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I had no idea it was there until the clouds lifted!
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