God Does Not Forget His Own

Greg Gwin

Facing difficult and uncertain times, God’s people felt that He had possibly abandoned them . . . "But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me." (Isaiah 49:14)

But God offered them the positive assurance that they so desperately needed . . . "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands . . ." (vs. 15-16)

He assured them that it would be more likely for a woman to forget her own child than for Him to forget His people. Just as we sometimes write important reminders on the palm of our hand, even so the Father had them written on His hand. Although their circumstances seemed bleak, God had not forgotten them.

In our own lives we sometimes face a combination of trials and troubles that can raise doubt and uncertainty. At such times we must also remember God’s promises . . . "He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?’" (Hebrews 13:5-6)

We have "great and precious promises" from the Creator of the entire universe (2 Peter 1:4). He loves us and cares for us, and He desires all good things for us (Jeremiah 29:11). It should surely comfort us to know that our Heavenly Father has our names written on His hand. "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" (Romans 8:31)