Will you forget me forever? (Deuteronomy 32-34, Psalm 13, Luke 13)

“How long, O LORD will you forget me forever?”

These words from Psalm 13 may well describe the dear lady Jesus met in our reading from Luke 13. She had had a disabling spirit for 18 years. Had she been crying out to God for 18 years? She hadn’t given up on God for she is there at the place of worship on the Sabbath. Weakness can be a great blessing if it leads us to rely on God more. When we are strong we may have the foolish notion that are independent!

For 18 years she had been suffering, hunched over, perhaps she’d come to accept this was how life would be for her. Sometimes we do need to accept suffering in this lifetime and again it can be a great blessing if it makes us think about eternity more. When Jesus walked this earth, He gave people a glimpse of how good eternity will be for those who belong to Him. Jesus takes the initiative with this woman, look at His compassion as He calls her over. He is going to free her from 18 years of suffering in an instant! He proclaims her freedom and then he lays his hands on her and she is healed. No wonder she glorified God. If you have suffered with disability you can imagine her joy.

I wonder if the more you have suffered now, the more you will enjoy the new creation. How much greater will my son’s joy be at being able to walk and run and leap when he gets his resurrection body than someone who never had mobility problems. And I will share his joy as I see him able to do things that he has been prevented from.

Perhaps at times you feel forgotten by God, perhaps at times you cry out “how long”. But the truth is God does not forget his people. In fact our reading from Deuteronomy 32 tells us that it’s the other way round! God tells his people:

“You forgot the God who gave you birth.” (V18)

God does not forget His people, in Isaiah 49:16 He says to His people “I have engraved you on the palms of my hands”.

It’s wonderful to know that you are not forgotten by God, He loved you so much that He gave His own Son for you, and as Romans 8 assures us, if He’s done that, He will not let you down!

If you’re in need of encouragement, you could turn to Romans 8:31-39, please see there that you are not forgotten!