2010-04-08 - Never Forgotten

Isa 49:14-16

14. But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me,
    And the Lord has forgotten me."
15. "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.
16. "Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
    Your walls are continually before Me. (NASB)

I met someone I knew in high school on line a few days ago. It was nice to think of reconnecting with her. There was only one problem. She doesn't remember me. That was a little sad to be forgotten to say the least.

Even more painful than my experience, it is possible for a woman to forget her child. My mother-in-law's mom had alzhiemers so severely that she did not remember her daughter. She was offended when her daughter would give her father a hug. I can not even imagine how much that would hurt.

Zion says that the Lord has left me and forgotten me. The idea that the apple of God's eye would be forgotten by Him is a terrible thought. But God assures Zion that is not the case. "I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;" - what a powerful statement. Every time He looks at His hands Zion is there as a reminder.

For those of us who name Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord we have been given the Holy Spirit as a helper that walks along side us, teaching and encouraging us. He is the earnest of our salvation: literally the down payment on eternity with God. While Israel was first, we were grafted in to the tree as wild olive branches. The grace of God offered salvation to we gentiles as part the plan the brought Jesus to Earth to show us the true heart of God toward us and save mankind from eternal separation from the Father.

"What wondrous love is this, oh my soul", write the hymn author. The Creator of the Universe put on human flesh to come and live among us so that we could see that we were not forgotten by the Father. In fact, we were so important to Him that Jesus was sent to die in our place to offer us, both Jew and Gentile, eternity with God.

The victory won at Calvary is offered free to anyone who will come and admit they are not perfect - that they are sinners, believe that Jesus was sent to die in their place - breaking the power of sin and death, and they can not fix the problem themselves - that they need a Savior. If you are that person pray something like this:

Lord Jesus - I admit that I am a sinner, that I have done things that are wrong. I believe You are the Son of God Who takes away the sin of the world and came to open the way for me. I want to turn around and walk with You. Be my Lord and Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer or something like it, we would like to know. Write us and we will do our best to connect you with a local church that can help you grow in your new relationship with Christ - never to be forgotten.

Grace & Peace,
Mike

jmhoskins@gmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.orgi

2018-02-28