Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of the God who never forgets us.
Yesterday this verse came to my mind. “Can a woman forget her sucking child,
that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may
forget, yet will I not forget thee” (Isaiah 49:15).
What a question! Can a mother forget her infant child? Our
immediate response would be to cry out that it is not possible. The bond
between a mother and child is strong. There is something innate in her that
recognizes that this small human is totally dependent on her, and she rises to
the occasion. The verse references an infant. It is hard to forget an infant,
because its frequent cries serve as a reminder. Even the nursing mother’s own
body will remind her when it is feeding time. There seems no way for the mother
to forget.
If we slow down in our response, we might reflect that some
women do forget their infants. We might think of cases of neglect or
abandonment. Women have left their babies at hospital or church entrances, or
even in the street or in trash cans. Sadly, many others have never allowed
their babies to be born. Even in these cases, does the mother – can the mother –
actually forget her baby? If what I have read is a good indication, these
mothers often remember their babies for the rest of their lives. They are
constantly aware of how old their child is, and they sorrow each year at his birthday
(or when it would have been). Except in extreme cases, I don’t think mothers
forget how many abortions they have had. They remember each one.
In spite of these considerations, however, careful thought
will cause us to at least allow for the possibility of forgetting. We could entertain
a doubt that some mothers in some cases might forget their babies for some
amount of time. It would be highly unusual, but it could happen. God, who has
seen all mothers over all time, answers His own question in the verse. He
states that, yes, it is possible for a mother to forget her baby. Strange as it
may seem, it can and does happen.
The extreme rarity and unnaturalness of such forgetting
serves to highlight the wonderful truth of God’s remembering. What we think is
nearly impossible makes the contrast with God even greater. God’s remembering
of us is even more sure and certain that the remembering of a mother for her
child.
What a wonderful comfort it gives us to remember that God
never forgets. It is easy to feel like people have forgotten us. Friends,
family members, pastors, mission directors, supporting churches, former
converts, former (or present) co-workers, etc. The truth is that most of these
people have not forgotten. They just don’t realize how important it is to give
assurances of their remembering. But even if others do forget, God never does!
So many of God’s servants have served in solitude, seemingly
the only one who was still standing. Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Joseph, Gideon,
Noah. But not one of these men was truly alone. God remembered and strengthened
and encouraged each one.
There is one thing that God does not remember. “And their
sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17). How thankful we
can be for that! Our sins are buried in the deepest sea, as far removed from us
as possible, and by God’s deliberate choice, they are forgotten.
God does remember other things. He remembers our weakness
and frailty. “Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay”
(Job 10:9). He remembers His own tender and loving character toward us. “Remember,
O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of
old” (Psalm 25:6). He remembers the opposition that we face as we seek to serve
Him. “Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom
the reproach of all the mighty people” (Psalm 89:50). And He remembers all that
we do in our service for Him. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work
and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have
ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10).
Whether or not you are remembered by others, I hope you will
take great comfort in God’s constant remembering of you. He compassionately
remembers your weaknesses. He graciously remembers your challenges. He
appreciatively remembers your service. God bless you as you continue to serve
Him.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
