Do you ever forget God? Your first instinct is probably to quickly say "no, of course not! I read my Bible. I pray daily. I go to church and I even try to talk to non-Christians about God." But ponder that question just a bit longer and you may realize that you often do forget him.
I do.
My sister and I are extremely close. We are only one year apart in age and she is my best friend. Our relationship is filled with random outbursts of laughter, telepathic conversations and heartfelt spiritual talks. She knows me better than almost anyone else and can read my body language even over the phone. The other day I was talking to my sister about an issue I was struggling with. As I poured my heart out to her she asked "didn't you already struggle with this a long time ago?"
Her comment was correct. I had struggled with that issue a while back and had handed it over to God. Making it through that struggle had become a part of my testimony and something I used to help others. However, when I spoke about it, I always mentioned myself making it through the tribulation. I had worked through the issue. I had come out of a hard time. I was doing better now.
I had forgotten about God. He who brought me out of my struggle was pushed to the back of my mind.
The Israelites were famous for this. Many times throughout Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy do we see the Israelites turning from God and forgetting his provision. The Israelites, who were brought out of slavery by what was clearly the Lord's power, turned to other gods, disobeyed the Lord's commands and even complained to God arguing that he should have left them in Egypt.
This baffles me! I read about the Israelites forgetting God and I never imagine myself doing the same. But I do! Moses warned the Israelites in Deuteronomy 8 to "be careful to follow every command I am giving you today... Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert for these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart."
We are tested so that we will learn to rely on the Lord more. When the Lord brings you out of a hard situation, praise him! It is in no way by your strength that you have overcome that struggle. He deserves all glory for your life. I, like the Israelites, need to be reminded of this all the time.
When you encounter trials, remember "the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you" (Deuteronomy 20:1).
And when you overcome trials, remember the Lord your God "has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you" (Deuteronomy 2:7).
