Forgetting # 2

Forgetting # 2

The first man soon forgot the One who gave him such an excellent being and had entered into solemn covenant with Him - allowing the allurement of the serpent and the solicitation of his wife to drive all holy considerations from his mind.

How quickly did Noah forget his wonderful salvation from the fatal deluge - no sooner spared from water, than he was drowned in wine.

How soon did Lot forget his rescue from Sodom - and fall into the fire of lust.

How quickly did David forget the Lord's delivering him from Saul - and fall into the sins of adultery and murder!

How soon did Solomon forget the One who had appeared unto him thrice - turning unto false gods and committing the terrible sin of idolatry.

Of the ten lepers who were healed by Christ - all but one forgot to return and give thanks unto God.

Even the apostles quickly forgot the mercies of the loaves (Matt. 16:9-10).

And these things, my reader, have been recorded for our learning and warning, for us to take to heart and turn into earnest prayer, that we may be kept from such God-dishonoring conduct, for we are men "subject to like passions" (James 5:17).

Not only is the Lord grievously slighted by our forgetfulness, but we ourselves are greatly the losers. As God declared of old through His prophet, "My people has been lost sheep---they have forgotten their resting place" (Jer. 50:6). As the Lord is the only true refuge for the soul, so He alone is its resting place. Consequently, when He is not in our thoughts, not only are we exposed to danger, but we are given up to a spirit of unrest and disquietude. There can be no joy in communion, no delight in His service, no calm and cheerful subjection to His will - when God is forgotten.

It is by keeping fresh in our minds how graciously the Lord dealt with us yesterday, how unfailingly He supplied our every need - that faith is strengthened and hope stimulated today. Do not forget previous answered prayers as you ply the throne of grace afresh.

The reasons for our sinful forgetfulness of God are not hard to discover: First, it issues from the universal deprivation of our nature. Fearful indeed have been the effects of the Eden tragedy! Second, it flows from the little esteem in which we hold the wondrous works of God. The works of the creature are admired - but those of the Creator are slighted. Third, it results from the mind's being so stuffed with worldly things. It was thus when the Son of God appeared: the inn was so crowded, they laid Him in a feeding trough in a stable. The minds of God's people are so crammed with the base things of this world - that there is little room for spiritual objects. Finally, it is because the gracious actings of God make such slight impressions upon us. Things are not cherished and meditated upon and are soon forgotten. Even the Psalmist, in a fit of dejection, asked, "Has the Lord forgotten to be gracious?" (77:9). What a woeful word to fall from the lips of a renewed person!

Even though divine mercy has preserved you from such a grievous utterance, has not the wicked idea been entertained in your mind? Oh, what vile creatures we are! God can no more cease to be gracious unto His children, than He can cease to be. It is because we give way to unbelief, and judge the Lord by sense - that such a concept is allowed to place in our hearts. He waits to be gracious (Isaiah 30:18) - till we are ready, till we come to the end of our resources. The vessel must be empty before He pours in His favors. His time is now; it is you who are not prepared for His blessing!

~A. W. Pink~

(The End)