God has forgotten me!
by Sal Huckel
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But Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me’ (Isaiah 49:14).
We read here of the exiles’ struggles and God’s promises to them of redemption and restoration. We read exhortations to praise and continual reminders of God’s faithfulness, which even surpasses parental love for our children.
The fear or feeling of being forgotten and isolated is one many of us may have experienced from time to time. We may utter prayers, cry out to God and seek counsel from our brothers and sisters in Christ to still feel that the prayers are not being heard or that we have been forgotten. Even our close friends may dry up in their interest in our problems.
We are reminded to lift up our eyes and look around. It’s a little like some techniques that can be useful during an anxiety attack or similar to naming small blessings and gifts from God every day if we are practising gratitude.
We are reminded not only that the Lord comforts his people and has compassion (verse 13) but also to praise him for it! Our names are engraved on the palms of his hands (verse 16).
Sometimes we need to concentrate on the facts, praise God for his compassion and mercy, and resist the temptation to judge his faithfulness to us based on how we actually feel. If we ‘lift up our eyes and look around’, how many signs can we see of God’s faithfulness and gifts to us in everyday life? It doesn’t change the problem or bring us ‘immediately out of exile’, but we know those who ‘hope in the Lord will not be disappointed’ – even if it’s only when we see our name engraved on those precious hands.
Lord, thank you for these redemption promises for your people. Help me lift my eyes to you and find reminders of your faithfulness and promises, no matter how forgotten I feel. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sal is married to Pastor Matthew Huckel, and they have six wonderful children – now an entire worship band as they serve together in ministry. Sal wears many other hats: she loves writing, speaking, and working as a wellness coach for Weight Watchers.
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