Forgetting God

Out of sight, out of mind. 

Unfortunately, for many people, even Christians, this applies to their relationship with God. 

We can’t see him physically, and if we’re not actively seeking him, it’s easy to let him slip from our minds.  Unless, of course, we get into trouble.  Then he quickly roars back to mind, and we cry out, “Help!”

And that was the problem with the Israelites as well.  They had allied themselves with false gods in a spiritual sense, and with the Syrians in a political and military one.

And so God condemns them, saying,

You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress.  (Isaiah 17:10)

How often do we do the same?  Oh, we may not worship Buddha or follow other religions. 

But instead of relying on God and making him our rock, we put our trust in money.  We put our trust in our possessions.  Or we compromise with ungodly people in order to get ahead in our business or in our careers.

But while it may reap benefits in the short term, in the long run, we’ll lose everything.  Israel did, as did their allies, the Syrians.

And God said,

In that day, men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. 

They will not look to the altars and the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made.  (7-8)

How much better would our lives be if instead of waiting for everything to collapse around us, we would remember God here and now?  To make him our fortress, not our money.  To make him our rock, and not things made or set up by man.