As part of my daily routine, I would go to the Post Office to check our box for any mail. For the first year after moving to Zambia, we received regular correspondence from family and friends back in America. Then it became more and more sporadic until finally we would go for weeks without a single letter and even once, for two months. I also learned that the government began taking our mail, I guess to make sure we were not spies. We started worrying that our loved ones had forgotten us. I am sure everyone at one time or another has been forgotten. Sometimes, it’s no big deal, but at other times, it hurts.
One of my favorite bible characters is Joseph. What fascinates me about him is that even during the horrible years in Egypt, he remained faithful to the LORD. His brothers had sold him as a slave and then Potiphar, who purchased him, put him in prison on the false charges of raping his wife. We learn from Joseph’s account that this was a terrible and difficult experience. Finally, after many years, He saw a glimmer of hope for getting out of prison when he interpreted the dream of Pharaoh’s cupbearer who was briefly imprisoned. The interpretation was that Pharaoh would restore him in three days. Joseph pleaded with him, But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison (Gen 40:14).
I can imagine Joseph counting off the days after the cupbearer’s release and each day hoping he remembered and mentioned him to Pharaoh. I wonder if each time Joseph heard a guard entering the prison, if his heart raced a bit hoping he was coming to release him. However, the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph; he forgot him (40v23). Two years later Pharaoh had a dream that no one could interpret. It was then the cupbearer remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh he knew someone who could interpret his dream. Immediately, Pharaoh summoned for Joseph who accurately gave him the meaning of the dream. Pharaoh also appointed Joseph as a ruler over the nation of Egypt, second only to himself. Imagine being elevated from a prisoner to Prime Minister in one day. Of course, all of this was part of the LORD’s plan. Joseph had been forgotten by man, but not forgotten by God.
Jesus instructed his disciples, before sending them out to preach, not to fear man because God would take care of them. Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent (Mat 10:29). Luke’s account gives an additional graphic that is easy to overlook. Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight (12:6). Sparrows were of such little value, if someone bought four for two pennies, the seller gave them a fifth bird for free. Jesus’ lesson is that God doesn’t forget even this insignificant fifth little sparrow. He tells the twelve; Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows!
Like me, at some point you may have felt like looking up toward heaven and asking, “Is anyone up there listening?”,”God have you forgotten about me?” Our journey through life is one of faith and not by feeling. Although scripture assures us, that God is Omni-present and always with us, we must accept this truth daily by faith. A phrase Christians often use is—”I’m going through a dry spell.” That simply means a person has been unaware of God’s presence for a long time. As far as feeling goes, God could be on the other side of the universe.
You are not alone when you experience this. The sons of Korah wrote, I will say to God, my rock, “Why have You forgotten me? (Psalms 42:9). Another Psalmist wrote, He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and will never see” (10:11). We may feel like God has forgotten, but note these verses. But God remembered Noah (Gen 8:1). God remembered Abraham (Gen 19:29) Then God remembered Rachel (Gen 19:29). So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exo2:24).
Your family, friends, and even your church may have forgotten you and you wonder if God has also forgotten you. But know with the assurance of Scripture that He has not forgotten you and is present with you as you read this Sustaining Word. He purchased you with Jesus’ blood. That makes you infinitely more valuable than that insignificant fifth sparrow, worth so little. If He remembers it, how much more does He remember you?
Sustaining Word for the Week:
People may have forgotten you, but God has never forgotten you, is not forgetting you now, and will never forget you in the future.
P.S.—Encourage someone this week you may have forgotten or who may feel forgotten.