Forgotten Not, Part III

“Learning: discovering that the impossible is merely the improbable.”
~ @daffynitions

Forgotten Not, Part III

"When they had pasture, they were filled;
They were filled and their heart was exalted;
Therefore they forgot Me."
~ Hosea 13:6 (NKJV)

Throughout history, a cycle repeats itself. God's people are distressed, they cry out to Him, then He has compassion and blesses them. Filled once again, their attention turns to the blessing, they see themselves as exalted, and the Blessor is forgotten. Before long, a proud people who forgets the Lord is no longer blessed by Him, and cries out to Him, and He has compassion ...

For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
~ 2 Peter 1:9 (NKJV)

Christians are woefully susceptible to a similar cycle. We find joy in salvation from the guilt of sin. We discover new blessings in being a child of the King. We become exalted and expect to have no hardship, forgetting that our God did not say we would be without tribulation in this world, but to take courage in tribulation, because with Him, we overcome it. We again recognize the sin of pride, are again humble before Him, discover new strength and blessing, become exalted ...

Can a virgin forget her ornaments, Or a bride her attire?
Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number.
~ Jeremiah 2:32 (NKJV)

What do little girls dream about? Being a beautiful, beloved bride. Once engaged, a woman is likely to obsessively think of the wedding day and what she will wear for her bridegroom. So how is it that a Christian now betrothed to Christ should not be obsessively thinking of Him, and of the clothing of righteousness with which He attires us?

"This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
~ Luke 22:19 (NKJV)

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
~ John 13:35 (NKJV)

Among the things Jesus asked of us in His final hours were these: let Him be forgotten not, let our brethren in Christ be forgotten not. Jesus deemed our unity with one another so important that He instructed us to be reconciled to one another before coming to offer Him worship.

"If you ... remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
~ Matthew 5:23-24 (NKJV)

We are asked by our Lord to do difficult things. Return love for hatred. Forgive. Bless those who curse us. The impossible is merely the improbable when God is forgotten not. And in our remembering to love others in His name, He promises yet once again that we are forgotten not.

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
~ Hebrews 6:10 (NKJV)

To recap "Forgotten Not" ~
Part I: Israel is forgotten not, for the Lord fulfills all He has promised her
Part II: We are forgotten not, for the Lord has engraved on His hands with nails
Part III: The Lord ask of us that He be forgotten not, in our love for one another

Lord, perform the improbable in us. Amid blessing, let us remember You, remember others. Teach us to love as You do.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

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