My wife admits that she once forgot our daughter! It’s not as bad as it sounds – she was on her way to drop Bethany at school and then to go shopping, but she just forgot to go the school first, and it was only when she was half way to the shops and a voice piped up from behind “are we going the wrong way….”! She nearly crashed the car! Isaiah says it is possible, though highly unlikely, for a mother to forget her child, but the Lord will never forget His people.
God’s people Israel were a lot like us today. God made amazing promises to them, but then some experience they had made them say “my Lord has forgotten me” (Isaiah 49:14). In response, the Lord says “can a woman forget her nursing child…even these may forget, yet I will not forget you” (Isaiah 49:15). The Lord is so committed to His people that He says, see I’ve tattooed you on my hands (v16).
As we read on through Isaiah we see just how much it cost Him not to forget them. He would give his own son to have his back struck, his beard pulled, his face spat upon (50:6 and worse 52:14ff) so that we could enjoy everlasting joy and sorrow and sighing fleeing away (51:11).
Sometimes we may like Israel experience things that will make us question God’s love, and think He’s forgotten us. At those times, it’s helpful to remember the extent God has gone to for you, that you are so precious to Him that He’s engraved you on His hands. That He loves you so much He gave His Son for you so that you can enjoy Him forever.
Tim Keller very helpfully wrote:
“I am going to judge my circumstances by Jesus’ love, not Jesus’ love by my circumstances.”
That’s something to remember when you’re tempted to think that God has forgotten you.
Light and Momentary Troubles 
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