Not Forgotten 不被遗忘
Dexu Xia
I will not forget you! Isaiah 49:15
“Uncle Arthur, do you remember the day you took me to the barbershop and the supermarket? I was wearing tan khakis, a blue-plaid oxford shirt, a navy-blue cardigan, brown socks, and brown Rockport shoes. The date was Thursday, October 20, 2016.” My nephew Jared’s autism-related challenges are offset by his phenomenal memory that can recall details like days and dates and the clothes he was wearing years after an event took place.
Because of the way he’s wired, Jared possesses the kind of memory that reminds me of the all-knowing, loving God—the Keeper of time and eternity. He knows the facts and won’t forget His promises or His people. Have you had moments when you’ve questioned whether or not you’ve been forgotten by God? When others appear to be healthier or happier or more successful or otherwise better off?
Ancient Israel’s less-than-ideal situation caused her to say, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me” (Isaiah 49:14). But that wasn’t the case. God’s compassion and care exceeded the natural bonds of affection that mothers have for their children (v. 15). Before embracing labels like “forsaken” or “forgotten,” think again of what God has done in and through His Son, Jesus. In the gospel that brings forgiveness, God has clearly said, “I will not forget you!” (v. 15).
When have you felt alone, forsaken, and forgotten by God? How does processing the love of God expressed by sending Jesus to die for your sins help to counter feelings of being forgotten by Him?
Father, when I’m tempted to feel neglected, forgotten, and abandoned, help me to ponder again the love You demonstrated by sending Jesus to die for me.
我却不忘记你。—以赛亚书49章15节
我侄子瑞德对我说：“恩德叔叔，你还记得你带我去理发店和超市的那一天吗？我当时穿着卡其裤、蓝格子牛津衬衫、海军蓝的毛衣、棕色袜子和棕色乐步鞋。那天是2016年10月20日，星期四。”瑞德的自闭症让他有非凡的记忆力，就如他能在多年后，仍记得某件事情发生的日期、时间，以及自己的衣着等细节。
瑞德独特的思维方式使他拥有的那种记忆力，令我想起全知又慈爱的上帝，那位掌管时间和永恒的主宰。祂知道万事，也不忘记祂的应许或祂的百姓。然而，当别人似乎比你更健康、更快乐、更成功，或过得更好的时候，你是否会质疑自己早已被上帝遗忘了？
古时的以色列民在艰困的处境中，不禁哀叹道：“耶和华离弃了我，主忘记了我”（以赛亚书49章14节）。但事实并非如此，上帝的怜悯和关爱远胜于母亲出于天性对儿女的爱（15节）。在我们自怨自艾，认为自己被上帝“离弃”或“忘记”之前，不妨再次思想上帝藉着祂的儿子耶稣所成就的一切。在带来赦免的福音中，上帝清楚表明：“我却不忘记你。”（15节）
你何时曾感到孤独、被上帝离弃和遗忘？
当你思想上帝的爱，祂甚至差派耶稣为你的罪而死，
这如何帮助你去对抗那种被祂遗忘的感觉？
天父，当我感到被忽视、忘记和遗弃时，
请帮助我重新思考，祢差遣耶稣为我而死所彰显的爱。