DCLM Higher Everyday 23 March 2024 — God Has Not Forgotten You
Topic: God Has Not Forgotten You
Text — Isaiah 49:13-16
13Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
14But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.
15Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
16Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
Key Verse: “But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me…Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me” (Isaiah 49:14,16).
Message
Life is full of challenges and unpleasant experiences which negatively influence our feelings towards God. In times of extreme hardship, we feel that God is estranged from us. The experience of disappointments, financial difficulties, failures and set- backs is common to everyone, including youths. When youths navigate such experiences, they feel that no one cares and that God has forgotten them. In our text, Israel claimed that God had forsaken and forgotten them. Is this your experience? There is hope for you in God.
Replying Israel’s claim, God stressed that a woman may forget her suckling child, but He will not forget them, having graven them in the palms of His hands. What an assurance from God to Christian youths! Beloved, when it seems you are forgotten or when answers to prayers seem delayed, cry out to God. Don’t despair. Don’t doubt God’s promised presence. He will neither forget nor forsake you. He did not forget Joseph in Egypt, or Jeremiah in the dungeon of Malchiah in the court of the prison (Jeremiah 38:4-13). Wait for Him and remain steadfast in faith.
Quote: Don’t doubt God’s promised presence
Challenge: In adversity, have faith in God.
Prayer for today: Help me Lord to depend on you in times of adversity.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
