While visiting a World War I military cemetery in France, I was struck by the number of grave markers bearing only these words:

a soldier of the great war known unto God

The cemetery was surrounded on three sides by stone panels bearing the names of 20,000 soldiers who fell in nearby battles. Imagining the loneliness of men dying in war and the anguish of families grieving at home was overpowering.

There may be times in life when we feel forgotten and alone. Like the psalmist we cry out: “Will the Lord reject forever? Will He never show His favour again? . . . Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has He in anger withheld His compassion?” (Ps. 77:7,9). The psalmist’s answer to feeling abandoned came in remembering all that God had done in the past, meditating on His wonderful work and speaking of it to others (vv.11-12).

In our darkest moments, we can remember the words of Jesus: “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7).

We are never forgotten by God.

Author

David C. McCasland

Topics

Our Daily Bread